Wildfires Hit Three Provinces Despite Rainy Season: BNPB

Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has reported the emergence of wildfires in three provinces—Aceh, Riau, and Central Kalimantan—despite much of the country still being within the rainy season period. The situation has raised concerns among authorities, as fires are typically associated with the dry season rather than months marked by frequent rainfall.

The incidents underscore the persistent vulnerability of certain regions, particularly peatland and degraded areas, which remain highly susceptible to fire even during wet conditions.

Fires Detected in Aceh, Riau, and Central Kalimantan

Head of BNPB’s Data, Information, and Communication Center Abdul Muhari confirmed the findings on Saturday, citing operational data gathered from regional disaster mitigation agencies.

According to BNPB, the earliest wildfire in this recent series was detected on Thursday, January 15, 2026, in West Aceh District, Aceh Province. Despite continuous firefighting efforts, the blaze has not yet been fully extinguished.

“This situation shows that rainfall alone does not completely eliminate the risk of land and forest fires,” Muhari said.

West Aceh Fire Still Ongoing

In Aceh Province, the fire occurred in Gampong Lapang, Johan Pahlawan Sub-district, affecting an estimated 1.5 hectares of land.

Firefighting teams on the ground have faced significant challenges, including:

strong and shifting winds
limited access to water sources
long distances between water points and the fire location

“These conditions have slowed down suppression efforts,” Muhari explained, adding that personnel continue to focus on extinguishing active flames and conducting cooling operations to prevent reignition.

The affected area includes dry vegetation that can ignite quickly, especially when wind intensifies fire movement.

Riau Records Multiple Fire Points

Meanwhile, Riau Province—a region historically prone to land and forest fires—also reported several incidents early this year.

Data from the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) showed fires occurring in:

Dumai City, where approximately three hectares burned
Siak District, with an affected area of about 0.25 hectares

Between January 1 and January 16, 2026, the total burned area in Riau reached 3.25 hectares.

Local joint teams consisting of BPBD officers, firefighters, and community volunteers have conducted ground-based firefighting operations to contain the blazes and prevent further spread.

Authorities reported that quick response helped limit damage, though vigilance remains high.

Fire in Central Kalimantan Successfully Contained

In Central Kalimantan, a wildfire was detected in Ujung Pandaran Village, Teluk Sampit, East Kotawaringin District, also on January 15.

The fire affected an estimated six hectares of land. Unlike the situation in Aceh, BNPB confirmed that the blaze has been successfully contained.

“Based on the latest reports, the joint team has managed to control the fire,” Muhari said.

Cooling efforts continue in the area to ensure that underground embers, particularly in peat soil, do not reignite.

Why Fires Occur During the Rainy Season

Although Indonesia is currently experiencing the rainy season, experts note that wildfires can still occur under certain conditions.

Several factors contribute to this phenomenon:

peatlands that remain dry below the surface
abandoned mineral and agricultural land
strong winds that accelerate fire spread
short dry intervals between rainfall

Peat soil, in particular, can burn underground for long periods, making fires difficult to detect and extinguish.

“Even light rainfall may not penetrate deep peat layers,” disaster mitigation officials have previously explained.

Peatlands Remain Highly Vulnerable

BNPB emphasized that peatland areas remain among the most fire-prone zones, regardless of seasonal rainfall.

When peat dries, it becomes highly flammable and can ignite from small sparks, including:

land clearing activities
discarded cigarette butts
residual heat from previous fires

Once ignited, peat fires are extremely difficult to extinguish because flames often spread beneath the surface.

This is why BNPB continues to prioritize early detection and rapid response in peat-dominated regions.

Rainy Season Peak Continues Until February

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has reported that the peak of the rainy season is expected to continue through February 2026.

However, BMKG also warned that rainfall distribution is uneven, meaning some areas may experience:

heavy rain in short periods
intermittent dry days
strong wind conditions

These fluctuations can still create opportunities for fires to occur.

BNPB Urges Heightened Vigilance

In response to the recent incidents, BNPB has urged local governments and communities to remain alert, even during the rainy season.

Muhari stressed that disaster preparedness should not be relaxed simply because rainfall is ongoing.

“Communities living near peatlands and unused land must remain cautious,” he said.

BNPB encouraged regional authorities to:

strengthen patrols in vulnerable areas
ensure availability of firefighting equipment
engage local communities in early reporting
maintain coordination among agencies

Community Role in Fire Prevention

Authorities highlighted the importance of community participation in preventing wildfires.

Residents are urged to:

avoid open burning
report smoke immediately
refrain from clearing land using fire
monitor dry vegetation near settlements

Early reporting has proven crucial in limiting fire size before it spreads uncontrollably.

Environmental and Health Concerns

Even small-scale fires can pose serious risks, including:

air pollution
respiratory problems
disruption to transportation
damage to ecosystems

Indonesia has previously experienced severe haze episodes caused by large-scale peat fires, prompting heightened awareness at both national and regional levels.

Although current fires remain limited in scale, BNPB stressed that prevention is far more effective than suppression.

Strengthening Early Warning Systems

BNPB continues to integrate satellite-based hotspot monitoring with ground patrols to detect early signs of fire activity.

This system allows authorities to:

identify potential fire locations quickly
deploy teams before fires expand
coordinate with local disaster agencies

Such measures are part of Indonesia’s broader disaster risk reduction strategy.

Conclusion

The detection of wildfires in Aceh, Riau, and Central Kalimantan during the rainy season serves as a reminder that land and forest fire risks in Indonesia persist year-round.

While rainfall reduces the likelihood of large-scale fires, vulnerable landscapes—especially peatlands and abandoned mineral areas—can still ignite under certain conditions.

BNPB’s call for continued vigilance highlights the importance of preparedness, coordination, and community awareness to prevent small incidents from escalating into major disasters.

As the rainy season continues through February, authorities and residents alike are urged to remain alert and proactive in protecting the environment and public safety.

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Wildfires Hit Three Provinces Despite Rainy Season: BNPB