West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has reminded the public not to bring cigarettes into forests as part of efforts to prevent forest and land fires. During this dry season, he is also urging the public to avoid all burning activities.
"Everyone must be careful. Don't go into the forest with cigarettes, because that has quite broad implications," said Mulyadi on Monday, 10 August 2026. He emphasised that during the dry season, the public must avoid fire in all forms to prevent potential fires.
The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of West Java Province previously reported that 15 districts and cities in the region have been affected by drought, covering 89 subdistricts. Bogor Regency has been hit hardest with 24 subdistricts experiencing drought, followed by Tasikmalaya Regency with 12 subdistricts and Bekasi Regency with 9 subdistricts.
According to BPBD reports, the drought has affected 61,505 families or 205,567 people. Authorities have distributed 4 million litres of clean water to all affected areas across the 15 districts and cities to address the water crisis.
