Human activity drives Indonesia’s forest fires as Sumatra, Kalimantan continues to burn
HUMAN activity remains the main driver of Indonesia’s forest and land fires, authorities say, as more than 200,000 hectares were burned between January and July and smoke from fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan continued to pose a cross-border haze thre...
Indonesia's ongoing forest and land fires are primarily caused by human activity, according to authorities and environmental experts. In the first seven months of 2026 alone, over 200,000 hectares were burned across the country, compared to a 69% increase compared to the same period last year. While hot and dry conditions resulting from El Nino have exacerbated the situation, land clearing for agriculture, open burning of rubbish, and agricultural preparation using fire are identified as key drivers.
Head of the National Disaster Management Agency, Suharyanto, emphasized that human activity remains the main cause of these fires, particularly in dry and windy conditions. The fires have also raised concerns about transboundary haze, with smoke affecting air quality in neighboring countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
Over 22,000 hotspots have been detected as of September 21, primarily in Kalimantan and Sumatra. Authorities are employing satellite monitoring and community patrols to detect and prevent fires, while utilizing aircraft for water-bombing and weather modification efforts. However, experts stress that addressing the root causes of the fires, such as the affordability of alternative methods to burning, is crucial.
Mahawan Karuniasa, an environmental science expert from the University of Indonesia, highlighted that cost is a significant factor for farmers, as burning is cheaper and faster than land clearing without fire. He suggested that technological solutions like plant-waste shredders and land-clearing machinery could provide viable alternatives.
Additionally, improving waste management infrastructure, including waste separation, composting, and processing facilities, could help reduce open burning in areas lacking adequate rubbish collection services. Nevertheless, enforcement efforts are intensifying, with police identifying 162 suspects linked to 219 fire cases as of September 16 and suspending 26 companies' permits while investigating 95 others.
Written by urgent.news from The Vibes's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
