Indonesia faces volcanic eruptions and wildfires

Indonesia is experiencing heightened geological and environmental activity, including multiple volcanic eruptions and widespread wildfires.

Gunung Semeru in East Java underwent repeated eruptions on Friday, September 25, 2026, with ash columns reaching up to 800 meters above the peak. The volcano remains at Level III (Siaga) status. Similarly, Gunung Merapi continues to show high volcanic activity with frequent lava flows, and Gunung Sinabung in North Sumatra remains at Level III due to increased seismic activity.

In terms of land disasters, the National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) reported several wildfires across the country, including a significant 496.4-hectare fire in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, and various fires in Central Java.

To address earthquake risks, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has launched 'Earthquake Field Schools' in Karanganyar and Magetan. These programs aim to improve community preparedness and disaster mitigation through education on seismic risks and rapid response actions.