# Indonesia wildfire crisis expands through September 2026 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/indonesia-fire-incidents-and-relief-response > Updated: 2026-09-12T01:31:05.000Z. Sources: 73. Developments: 24. Following extreme weather and El Niño in August 2026, fire incidents across Indonesia intensified into September. While early August saw urban fires in Jakarta and Bali, the crisis has expanded into massive forest and land fires (karhutla) across Sumatra, Borneo, and East Java. By early September, fires burned over 73,000 hectares, producing thick haze affecting neighboring countries. In East Java, the Ijen Crater Nature Tourism Park remains closed due to fires near the Pondok Bunder hiking trail. Authorities have deployed 53 aircraft for water bombing and cloud seeding to protect the future capital, Nusantara, where approximately 400 hectares have been affected. Suppression efforts face growing logistical hurdles. In Kubu Raya, firefighting has persisted for 63 days, but officials report that wind, difficult access, and severe water shortages have limited full extinguishment to only 10 to 20 percent of burned areas. In West Java, the surge in incidents is particularly evident in Garut, where land fires rose by over 1,000 percent compared to 2025, and Karawang, where land and grass fires accounted for nearly 40 percent of reported cases. In Riau, 273 hectares have burned in Siak Regency. The Ministry of Forestry is preparing for a dry season predicted to last into early 2027 through weather modification and monitoring. Amidst the destruction, the Natural Resources Conservation Agency has rescued 24 wild animals in West Kalimantan, including 15 orangutans, pangolins, and a proboscis monkey, to protect species from habitat degradation. ## Claims - Riau Province has the highest number of suspects with 42 individuals. (disputed by 7 sources) - Two residents were injured in the fire. (disputed by 3 sources) - No deaths or injuries were reported following the fire at the GRIB post. (disputed) - Polri has named 113 suspects in forest and land fire cases. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The East Java BBKSDA has temporarily closed tourism at the Ijen Crater Nature Tourism Park. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The total area burned across 169 police reports reached 4,741.89 hectares. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The fire spread near the Pondok Bunder area, which is a hiking trail to Ijen Crater. (corroborated by 5 sources) - The fire destroyed approximately 60 houses. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The cause of the fire will be determined through investigation by the National Police Forensic Laboratory. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-12: Indonesia Ministry of Forestry manages forest fires and wildlife rescues Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry is managing forest fires in Siak and rescuing wildlife in West Kalimantan, including 15 orangutans, as dry season risks persist. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-ministry-of-forestry-manages-forest-fires-and-wildlife-rescues ### 2026-09-09: Fire incidents surge in Garut and Karawang regencies Fire incidents, particularly land and grass fires, have surged in Garut and Karawang, Indonesia, driven by drought and significant increases in land-related fire cases during 2026. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fire-incidents-surge-in-garut-and-karawang-regencies ### 2026-09-07: Indonesia battles widespread forest and peatland fires Indonesia is battling widespread forest and peatland fires, with emergency teams using thermal drones and specialized cooling techniques to manage hotspots in Kalimantan and Riau. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pringsewu-factory-fire-causes-rp-12-billion-in-losses ### 2026-09-04: Indonesia battles widespread wildfires and identifies 113 suspects Indonesia is battling widespread wildfires, with 113 suspects identified by police and Ijen Crater tourism temporarily closed. Weather modification operations are underway to combat the fires. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wildfires-spread-in-tana-toraja-and-mount-ijen ### 2026-09-04: Indonesia intensifies firefighting near Nusantara capital Indonesia is deploying 53 aircraft for water bombing and cloud seeding to combat forest fires in Borneo and Sumatra, which have burned over 73,000 hectares and threatened the new capital, Nusantara. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-forest-fires-threaten-nusantara-and-oil-and-gas-operations ### 2026-09-03: Local fires reported in Indramayu and Situbondo Separate fires in Indramayu and Situbondo have caused property damage. The Indramayu fire was linked to waste burning, while the Situbondo incident is suspected to be caused by an electrical short circuit. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/local-fires-reported-in-indramayu-and-situbondo ### 2026-08-30: Indonesia experiences multiple major fires in Jakarta, Bali, and Jember Several major fires occurred across Indonesia on August 31, including a residential blaze in Jakarta affecting hundreds, a scrap warehouse fire in Denpasar, and damage to the Meru Betiri National Park office. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jakarta-faces-rising-fire-risks-amid-calls-for-stricter-electrical-safety ### 2026-08-22: Indonesia faces widespread forest fires across multiple provinces Widespread forest fires are impacting Indonesia, with significant hotspots in Papua Tengah and threats to LNG facilities in West Papua. Authorities are deploying aerial water bombing to combat the flames. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-authorities-combat-forest-and-land-fires-in-nabire-and-magetan ### 2026-08-11: Multiple fires reported across Indonesia in Bengkulu, Kampar, and Tulungagung Multiple fires were reported in Indonesia, including a residential blaze in Bengkulu destroying 21 homes, land fires in Kampar affecting peatlands, and a poultry farm fire in Tulungagung. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/multiple-fires-reported-across-indonesia-in-bengkulu-kampar-and-tulungagung ### 2026-08-03: Multiple fires break out in Jakarta, hitting a five‑storey house and the Pullman Hotel Two separate fires hit Jakarta: a five‑storey house in Pasar Baru and the Pullman Hotel in West Jakarta, with dozens of fire units deployed and causes still unknown. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/multiple-fires-break-out-in-jakarta-hitting-a-fivestorey-house-and-the-pullman-hotel ### 2026-07-31: Makassar, Indonesia fire destroys up to 80 homes in dense settlement A fire on 31 July 2026 in Makassar’s Tallo district razed 50‑80 homes, prompted a three‑hour firefighting effort, and triggered an assessment by BPBD leader Muhammad Fadli Tahar. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/makassar-indonesia-fire-destroys-up-to-80-homes-in-dense-settlement ### 2026-07-30: Two shop fires injure victims in Denpasar and Pekanbaru, Indonesia Fires at a Denpasar warung and Pekanbaru kiosks caused injuries, including burns to two men and a leg wound, prompting swift firefighting responses in both Indonesian cities. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/two-shop-fires-injure-victims-in-denpasar-and-pekanbaru-indonesia ### 2026-07-28: Indonesia sees two serious house fires on July 28, 2026 Two Indonesian homes burned on July 28, 2026—one in Karanganyar likely caused by a child with a match, another in Mojokerto suspected electrical—no casualties but substantial property loss. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-sees-two-serious-house-fires-on-july-28-2026 ### 2026-07-26: Indonesia records 40 fires in Jayapura and major blaze near Jakarta's Kebayoran Lama market Jayapura logged 40 fires by mid‑July 2026, prompting mayor‑driven safety warnings, while Jakarta South dispatched 90 firefighters to a major blaze near Kebayoran Lama market. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-records-40-fires-in-jayapura-and-major-blaze-near-jakartas-kebayoran-lama-market ### 2026-07-24: Indonesia Faces Series of Fires Across Several Regions Multiple fires swept Indonesia in late July 2026, scarring stalls in Ambon, land in Bantul, Ngawi and Brebes, and a Jombang factory; all were contained with no fatalities. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jombang-indonesia-factory-fire-engulfs-corn-feed-plant ### 2026-07-24: Clash on Jalan Tambak, Menteng Leaves Four Injured and Property Burned Police split the Jalan Tambak Menteng clash into three probes after a knife‑armed group set fire to a building and four motorcycles, injuring four people; the scene is now calm. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/warehouse-fires-sweep-north-jakarta-causing-heavy-losses ### 2026-07-21: Building Fires Sweep Indonesia's Aceh and Central Java Regions Two separate fires in Indonesia—one in Banda Aceh caused by an electrical fault in a frozen‑food shop, another in Cilacap ignited by a short‑circuit amid fuel and gas stores—led to extensive property damage and 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/building-fires-sweep-indonesias-aceh-and-central-java-regions ### 2026-07-18: Indonesia boarding school fires raise safety concerns Fires at boarding schools in Martapura and Lombok have caused extensive damage and sparked calls for stronger safety and child‑protection measures across Indonesia. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indonesia-boarding-school-fires-raise-safety-concerns ### 2026-07-16: House fire in Kediri, Indonesia suspected arson leaves no injuries A Kediri house fire on 16 July 2026, suspected to be arson by the victim’s ex‑husband, destroyed a home and motorbike but caused no injuries; police are investigating. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/house-fire-in-kediri-indonesia-suspected-arson-leaves-no-injuries ### 2026-07-14: House Fires in Indonesia Burn Homes in Bengkulu and Jombang, Injuring One Child Two Indonesian house fires—one in Bengkulu caused by a stove, another in Jombang linked to an LPG explosion—resulted in significant property loss and a child injury. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/house-fires-in-indonesia-burn-homes-in-bengkulu-and-jombang-injuring-one-child ### 2026-07-12: Multiple residential fires sweep Indonesian cities on July 12, 2026 On 12 July 2026 fires hit Palangka Raya, North Jakarta and East Jakarta, destroying homes, a school and killing three in Pulogadung. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jakarta-north-house-fire-linked-to-electrical-short-circuit-losses-estimated-at-rp20-million ### 2026-07-11: North Jakarta fire crews extinguish house blaze and commercial fire in rapid response Gulkarmat firefighters quickly extinguished a house fire in Sunter Agung and a commercial blaze at Mahkota Ancol in North Jakarta, with no casualties reported. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-jakarta-fire-crews-extinguish-house-blaze-and-commercial-fire-in-rapid-response ### 2026-06-19: Bengkulu Selatan fire victims receive cash aid as Indonesia records other fire incidents Bengkulu Selatan fire victims get cash aid and upcoming house repairs; a gas station fire in Bireuen caused no injuries and was quickly extinguished. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bengkulu-selatan-fire-victims-receive-cash-aid-as-indonesia-records-other-fire-incidents ### 2026-06-17: Bengkulu and Madiun house fires cause millions in property damage House fires in South Bengkulu and Madiun, likely caused by electrical shorts, resulted in no casualties but caused Rp200 million and Rp150 million in property damage respectively. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bengkulu-and-madiun-house-fires-cause-millions-in-property-damage --- Cite as: Indonesia wildfire crisis expands through September 2026. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/indonesia-fire-incidents-and-relief-response