Indonesia: Fires devastated nearly 95,000 hectares in July

Tuesday 18 - 11:01

Indonesia is facing a rapid escalation of forest and land fires. Nearly 95,000 hectares were affected in July alone, almost as much as in the first six months of the year. Authorities fear a further intensification of the phenomenon as the El Niño episode could extend until early 2027.

A particularly destructive July

Fires have taken on considerable proportions in Indonesia during the summer. According to data from the Ministry of Forestry, 94,539 hectares were reported affected in July, significantly increasing the annual toll.

Between January and June, 107,465 hectares had been impacted. By the end of July, the cumulative area reached 202,004 hectares, nearly double the figure recorded just one month earlier.

This acceleration comes as weather conditions become particularly favorable for the spread of fires.

An El Niño more intense than expected

The Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, alerted lawmakers about the strength of the current El Niño episode. According to him, the index measuring its intensity had surpassed the level recorded during the powerful episode of 2015 by mid-August.

This comparison is particularly sensitive in Indonesia. The year 2015 was marked by a major environmental disaster, with around 600,000 hectares affected by fires during the same period.

The current toll remains lower than that of 2015, but it already exceeds the levels observed in 2019 and 2023. For authorities, this evolution justifies increased mobilization.

The peak of fires yet to come

The situation could become even more challenging in the coming weeks. The Indonesian meteorological agency predicts that El Niño-related conditions will persist until early 2027.

The most critical period for forest and land fires is expected to be between August and September, as drought and hot conditions may favor rapid fire spread.

Authorities are therefore seeking to act before the phenomenon reaches its peak.

Operations to limit risks

In response to the increasing number of fire outbreaks, the government claims to have already deployed several preventive measures. Artificial weather modification operations have been conducted between February and July in several particularly exposed provinces.

The goal is to induce rainfall to reduce soil dryness and limit conditions favorable to fires.

These interventions are part of a broader strategy for monitoring and combating fires, as some areas are already experiencing significant episodes.

Bromo National Park to reopen soon

On the island of Java, authorities also announced the upcoming reopening of Bromo National Park, after successfully controlling the fires that had affected this highly frequented tourist destination.

Over 1,100 hectares were affected in the park. Its reopening is expected to take place after safety operations conducted by authorities.

The case of Bromo illustrates the impact of fires on ecosystems, as well as on the tourism and economic activity of certain Indonesian regions.

A year under close surveillance

With over 202,000 hectares affected since the beginning of the year, Indonesia is entering the coming months with heightened vigilance. Although the toll remains lower than that of 2015, the progression recorded in July shows that the situation can deteriorate rapidly.

The announced extension of El Niño until 2027 and the arrival of the traditionally most critical period now place authorities before a major challenge: to contain the fires before they reach a scale comparable to the most severe episodes of the past.