Indonesia intensifies wildfire response amid El Niño risks

Indonesia is facing an increased risk of forest and land fires due to intense dry conditions driven by El Niño and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole. Experts note that while climate phenomena exacerbate the risk and speed of fire spread, human activity—specifically land clearing through burning—remains the primary cause of these fires.

In response, President Prabowo Subianto has led management efforts in West Kalimantan, Riau, and South Sumatra, calling for an integrated strategy focused on early detection and rapid response. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warns that the peak risk period is expected to run from August through September 2026, particularly in Sumatra and Kalimantan.

The National Police (Polri) is implementing a target response time of one to two hours once a satellite detects a hotspot. Authorities are also emphasizing the need for increased monitoring, patrols, and law enforcement to address the root causes of the fires.