Indonesia Battles Record Wildfires as El Niño Intensifies

In early August 2026 Indonesia’s six priority provinces—Riau, Jambi and South Sumatra on Sumatra, and West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan on Borneo—were engulfed by forest and peatland fires. The blazes reached the Yiari orangutan rehabilitation centre in West Kalimantan, forced the closure of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java, and generated haze that prompted school closures in Pontianak and Sarawak, Malaysia.

BBC NewsWildfire at Indonesia's Mount Bromo mostly contained as smoke forces school closures Indonesia Deploys Aircraft To Combat Forest Fires Channel News Asia - CNAReutersAssociated PressAl Jazeera (website)

A strong El Niño has lengthened the dry season, raising temperatures and reducing rainfall. Officials note that El Niño “acts as a catalyst” for fire spread, while deliberate land-clearing burns, peatland drainage and accidental campfires remain the primary ignition sources.

Special Broadcasting Service

• Land burned: 107,465 ha (265,552 ac) from January to June, a 110 % increase over 2023.

Associated Press

• Hotspots: 1,612 recorded in August, up from 758 in July.

Indonesia’s forest fires surge as El Nino raises drought risks

• Firefighting assets: 43 helicopters, 15 fixed-wing aircraft, plus water-bombing helicopters and drones in Bromo National Park.

Indonesia’s forest fires surge as El Nino raises drought risks

• Personnel: Over 48,000 firefighters, disaster staff and military are active across the six provinces.

Indonesia’s forest fires surge as El Nino raises drought risks

• Specific sites: About 900 ha burned in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park; peatland fires total roughly 48,900 ha, with 540 ha in Jambi.

Wildfire at Indonesia's Mount Bromo mostly contained as smoke forces school closures

President Prabowo Subianto directed a multi-agency task force to contain the blazes and prevent trans-boundary haze.

Channel News Asia - CNA

• “We must uphold the nation’s credibility by showing that we can bring these fires under control,” — Djamari Chaniago, chief security minister

Associated Press

• “Aerial operations are supporting ground operations which are especially critical in peatland areas,” — Suharyanto, mitigation agency chief

Wildfire at Indonesia's Mount Bromo mostly contained as smoke forces school closures

• “The smoke has become quite thick. When we step outside, our eyes start to sting. The smell of the smoke is also quite strong,” — Darwin Romy

BBC News

The haze forced Pontianak’s mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono to shift all classes online, a measure echoed in Sarawak where 11 districts recorded unhealthy air-quality indices. At the Yiari centre, staff relocated 60 rescued orangutans to interior enclosures and joined firefighting efforts, while seeking additional equipment to protect the animals.

Wildfire at Indonesia's Mount Bromo mostly contained as smoke forces school closures

• Burned area at Bromo: Reuters cited “about 550 ha,” while AP and other outlets reported “nearly 900 ha.” Both figures appear in official briefings.

Wildfire at Indonesia's Mount Bromo mostly contained as smoke forces school closures

• National total: Some sources round the total to “more than 107,000 ha,” whereas the Forestry Ministry’s count is 107,465 ha.

Wildfire at Indonesia's Mount Bromo mostly contained as smoke forces school closures

Meteorological agencies project the peak of the dry season in September-October, with El Niño expected to remain strong through December. Authorities will continue cloud-seeding where clouds are present, expand water-bombing capacity, and urge the public to avoid open burning and report new hotspots promptly.

Special Broadcasting Service