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View all search resultsForest fires break out in Sumatra, Kalimantan despite ongoing rainy season
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) detected 190 fire hotspots across Sumatra on Monday, with Aceh recording the highest number at 110, followed by North Sumatra with 43.
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A firefighter battles a peatland wildfire on July 10, 2025, as forest and land fires returned amid extreme heat, in Rimba Panjang, Riau.
(AFP/Wahyudi)
F
orest and land fires have erupted in several regions across the country despite most areas still being in the peak of the rainy season.
In Aceh, authorities are continuing efforts to extinguish fires that broke out last week in several villages in West Aceh regency.
As of Tuesday, at least nine hectares of land had caught ablaze, according to the West Aceh Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD). Flames were still spreading slowly and could expand further due to strong winds at the site.
West Aceh BPBD acting head Teuku Ronald said that smoke from the fires has begun to affect residents’ health, prompting officials to recommend the temporary closure of schools near the affected areas.
“We have advised schools located close to the fire site to suspend activities temporarily as the situation has become concerning,” Ronald said on Tuesday, as quoted by state news agency Antara.
Aside from Aceh, forest and land fires have also been reported in Riau province, specifically in Dumai city and Siak regency.
Since the start of the year, at least 3.2 hectares of land have caught fire in the two areas, although authorities said all fires have since been extinguished.
