Fire incidents surge in Garut and Karawang regencies

Fire incidents have seen a significant surge in the Indonesian regencies of Garut and Karawang during 2026, with land fires emerging as the primary driver of the increase.

In Garut, the Fire and Rescue Service recorded 450 fire incidents as of September 6, 2026, doubling the total from 2025. The most dramatic spike occurred in land fires, which rose from 21 cases in 2025 to 246 cases in 2026—an increase of over 1,000 percent. The highest monthly totals were recorded in August with 122 incidents and July with 81.

Similarly, in Karawang, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) reported 328 fire incidents between January and August 2026. The frequency of fires peaked during July and August, which accounted for more than half of the year's total. Land and grass fires were the most common, representing nearly 40 percent of the cases. Officials noted that the surge coincides with drought conditions in several areas.