Indonesia faces multiple volcanic eruptions and forest fires

Indonesia is facing simultaneous natural disasters as multiple volcanoes erupt and forest fires spread. Three active volcanoes—Mount Ibu, Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, and Mount Semeru—erupted in rapid succession on Tuesday night, August 18, 2026.

Mount Ibu in North Maluku reached Alert Level II after three eruptions, while Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in East Nusa Tenggara and Mount Semeru in East Java are both at Alert Level III (Siaga). Mount Semeru has experienced continuous activity, with ash columns reaching up to 1,100 meters. Authorities have established exclusion zones around Semeru to protect against pyroclastic flows and lahars.

Separately, forest and land fires have broken out in the Arjuno-Welirang mountain area within the Raden Soerjo Forest Park in East Java. At least three hotspots have been detected in difficult-to-reach terrain. Consequently, all hiking trails in the Arjuno-Welirang area have been closed indefinitely to ensure public safety. Emergency teams are preparing water bombing operations via helicopter to combat the flames.