East Java Wildfires Scorch Over 9,000 Hectares Amid Dry Spell
Wildfires have burned 9,269.55 hectares in 25 East Java districts. Local authorities have declared emergency status to coordinate containment efforts.
SURABAYA — Massive wildfires have scorched 9,269.55 hectares of forest and land across 25 regencies in East Java, Indonesia, throughout the 2026 dry season. Authorities have recorded 136 separate fire incidents, with the most severe damage concentrated in six key regencies as parched vegetation turns the landscape into a tinderbox.
Gatot Soebroto, Chief of the East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), reported that the blazes have spanned a total of 136 incidents across the province. "We have recorded 136 wildfire incidents spread across 25 regions in East Java, with the total area burned reaching 9,269.55 hectares," Soebroto said on Thursday, Oct. 1.
The impact has been disproportionately felt in several regions. Lumajang Regency has suffered the most significant losses, with over 2,190 hectares reduced to ash. Probolinggo followed with 1,800 hectares, while Blitar and Banyuwangi reported losses of 1,600 and 1,400 hectares, respectively. Jember, Malang, Ponorogo, Magetan, Pasuruan, Bondowoso, Situbondo, Trenggalek, and Mojokerto also reported recurring fires as the extended drought creates volatile conditions.
Emergency Response and Resource Mobilization
In response to the escalating crisis, the East Java Provincial Government has officially declared a State of Emergency for Drought and Wildfires under Governor’s Decree Number 100.3.3.1/327/013/2026. This mandate has been mirrored by 24 local governments, allowing for the rapid mobilization of disaster response teams, water tankers, treatment units, and heavy-duty pumps to critical zones.
The operation involves a consolidated task force comprising local government agencies, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and the National Police. While many fire fronts have been brought under control, Soebroto stressed that the situation remains precarious. "Personnel and disaster management fleets remain on full alert in the field," he noted, emphasizing that the lack of rainfall keeps the risk of secondary outbreaks high.
Human Activity Remains Primary Driver
Officials are pointing to human activity as the leading cause of the widespread destruction. Soebroto issued a stern warning to residents, mountain hikers, and land managers to avoid activities that produce sparks, such as discarding cigarette butts or lighting campfires in high-risk areas. Investigations into previous incidents have frequently linked the fires to human negligence.
"Community cooperation is crucial to prevent the spread of wildfires," Soebroto added. Citizens are being urged to report any signs of fire or requests for emergency drought assistance directly to the East Java BPBD Command Post via the 117 hotline or the dedicated WhatsApp channel at 0812-317-80000. In addition to rural forest fires, municipal areas have also been affected; for instance, the Madiun City disaster unit recorded 85 fires during the same period, 47 of which were specifically land-related, highlighting the widespread nature of the current environmental strain.
