Wildfires Reported in Three Provinces Despite Ongoing Rainy Season: BNPB

Jakarta: Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has reported wildfires in three provinces—Aceh, Riau, and Central Kalimantan—despite parts of the country remaining in the rainy season.

Head of BNPB’s Data, Information, and Communication Center Abdul Muhari said on Saturday that fires were first detected in West Aceh, Aceh Province, on Thursday (January 15) and have yet to be fully extinguished.

According to BNPB’s Operational Data Center, the blaze in Gampong Lapang, Johan Pahlawan Sub-district, West Aceh, affected approximately 1.5 hectares. Firefighting efforts have been hampered by strong winds and limited water sources located far from the site.

“Teams continue to work intensively to extinguish the fire and cool down the affected area,” Muhari said.

In Riau Province, fires were reported in Siak District and Dumai City. Data from the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) showed that between January 1 and 16, 2026, around three hectares burned in Dumai and 0.25 hectares in Siak, bringing the total affected area to 3.25 hectares.

Ground-based firefighting operations have been carried out by joint local teams to control the blazes and prevent further spread.

Meanwhile, in Central Kalimantan, a wildfire affected an estimated six hectares in Ujung Pandaran Village, Teluk Sampit, East Kotawaringin District, on Thursday (January 15).

“Based on the latest reports, the joint team has successfully contained the fire in the area,” Muhari confirmed.

BNPB urged local governments and communities to remain vigilant against potential wildfires, particularly in peatlands and abandoned mineral areas that are highly prone to burning, even as rainfall continues.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has reported that the peak of the rainy season is expected to continue through February.