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Indonesia faces multiple volcanic eruptions and widespread forest fires
Indonesia is facing a surge in natural disasters, including multiple volcanic eruptions and widespread forest fires. Between August 18 and 20, 2026, three volcanoes—Mount Ibu, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, and Mount Semeru—erupted. Mount Ibu is at Level II (Alert), while Lewotobi Laki-laki and Semeru are at Level III (Standby). Mount Semeru has experienced continuous eruptions, with ash columns reaching 1,100 meters, prompting authorities to warn residents to stay away from riverbanks and specific sectors near the summit.
Simultaneously, forest and land fires (karhutla) are affecting several regions. Mount Arjuno-Welirang has seen significant fires, leading to the temporary closure of all hiking trails and the deployment of water bombing helicopters. In the Bangka Belitung Islands, 166 hotspots have been detected due to extreme weather. Additionally, the Geological Agency clarified that smoke plumes on Mount Raung were caused by land fires rather than volcanic activity. In Lamandau, emergency teams successfully controlled a 10-hectare fire, while in Musi Banyuasin, authorities are investigating a 25-hectare fire in a production forest area.
Entities
Besuk Kobokan · Geological Agency of Indonesia · Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources · Lumajang · Malang · Mount Arjuno-Welirang · Mount Ibu · Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki · Mount Semeru
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Satellite data detected 166 hotspots across six regencies in the Bangka Belitung Islands province. mediaindonesia.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] All hiking trails on Mount Arjuno-Welirang have been temporarily closed due to forest and land fires. jatim.jpnn.com · www.liputan6.com · www.antaranews.com · beritajatim.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Mount Ibu is at Level II (Alert), while Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki and Mount Semeru are at Level III (Standby). news.harianjogja.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Three active volcanoes in Indonesia—Mount Ibu, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, and Mount Semeru—erupted consecutively on Tuesday night, August 18, 2026. news.harianjogja.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Mount Semeru experienced a series of eruptions on Thursday morning, August 20, 2026, with ash columns reaching 1,100 meters. www.liputan6.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Authorities advised residents and tourists to avoid the southeast sector along Besuk Kobokan, up to 13 km from the summit. www.liputan6.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Mount Ibu in West Halmahera experienced three separate eruptions on Tuesday night. news.harianjogja.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Smoke plumes observed on the southern slope of Mount Raung were caused by land fires rather than volcanic activity. news.harianjogja.com · en.antaranews.com