September 16, 2026 | 02:40 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Forestry Ministry urges residents, farmers, and corporations to remain vigilant against forest fires until the end of October or early November 2026 as dry conditions fueled by El Nino persist.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni refers to updated information from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), which signals natural rain to arrive later than previously predicted.
"BMKG revises the early October prediction for natural lain to late October or even early November," said Raja Juli after a working meeting with House Commission IV on Wednesday.
These conditions prompt all parties to ramp up vigilance against forest fires in the coming weeks. "Meaning, a very strong El Nino, similar to that in 2015, will persist for approximately another month and a half," he said.
Raja Juli calls on public participation in preventing new fire from breaking out during the dry spell. He warns residents, farmers, and corporations against activities that could trigger blazes.
"Please don't play with fire during this very strong El Nino period," said Raja Juli.
The Indonesian government thus far has prioritized firefighting efforts in six provinces: Riau, Jambi, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan.
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) earlier said ground and air firefighting operations, including Weather Modification Operations (OMC), are underway.
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Forestry also outlined the firefighting efforts following the surging number of hotspots in Kalimantan. These efforts include rapid field response, ground extinguishing, water bombing, aerial patrols, land wetting, and the implementation of the Emergency Management System (OMC) in accordance with meteorological conditions.
BMKG, in its analysis of atmospheric dynamics during the first 10 days of September, recorded that 80.7 percent of Indonesia's territory, based on the number of Seasonal Zones (ZOM), or 564 ZOMs, had experienced the dry season.
BMKG also recorded 1,637 locations experiencing extreme rainless days, meaning more than 60 consecutive days without rain.
El Nino remains in the very strong category, with a sea surface temperature anomaly of 2.76 degrees Celsius in the Nino 3.4 region.
Meanwhile, the South Sumatra branch of BMKG on Tuesday stated that rainfall potential will remain very low until November 2026.
Local residents are also advised not to clear land by burning to prevent blazes from breking out.
Read: Indonesia Expands Wildfire Response Beyond Six Priority Provinces
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia Suspends 26 Corporate Permits over Forest Fires
2 jam lalu
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni announced the suspension of business permits for 26 companies linked to land and forest fires across Indonesia.
How Will Indonesia Adjust Garibaldi Carrier for Disaster Handling?
3 jam lalu
The Italian-built Giuseppe Garibaldi is en route to Indonesian waters. President Prabowo is keen on converting it to assist disaster handling.
Indonesia Expands Wildfire Response Beyond Six Priority Provinces
4 jam lalu
Indonesia expands wildfire response beyond six priority provinces as hotspot activity rises and haze risks increase across several regions.
Singapore Haze: What You Need to Know as Air Quality Turns Unhealthy
23 jam lalu
Singapore haze has pushed air quality into the unhealthy range across all five regions for the first time since 2019. Here's what to know.
Mount Lawu Hiking Trails Shut as Forest Fire Expands
23 jam lalu
Several hiking trails on Mount Lawu are temporarily closed starting from September 14, 2026, due to forest and land fires.
Prabowo Prioritizes Forest Fire Handling in IKN, Says Minister
1 hari lalu
The Minister of Forestry stated that President Prabowo Subianto has given a mandate for overseeing IKN to prevent forest fires.
Indonesia Dispatches Firefighting Equipment to Five Kalimantan Provinces
1 hari lalu
Indonesia's Public Works Ministry is dispatching 13 firefighting equipment units to five Kalimantan provinces to strengthen forest fire response.
Singapore Air Quality Worsens as Haze From Indonesia Hits All Five Regions
1 hari lalu
Singapore recorded unhealthy air quality across all five regions as dry weather and smoke haze from Indonesian forest fires persisted.
Kalimantan Forest Fire Haze Delays 73 Flights at Supadio Airport
2 hari lalu
Visibility in the airport area on Monday morning was only around 300 meters, so flights could not yet operate.
Japan Joins Indonesia Firefighting in First Overseas Mission
4 hari lalu
Japan deploys Self-Defense Forces and helicopters to West Kalimantan for its first overseas firefighting mission to combat Indonesia's forest fires.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/9302675/original/000661800_1784602076-1000126784.jpg)
