Wildfires Burn 200 Hectares on Mount Lawu as Fires Spread Across East Java

JAKARTA, Indonesia, October 18, 2026 — Wildfires and drought-related conditions continued to feature in Indonesia’s disaster reports over the weekend, with fires affecting forest and mountain areas in Central and East Java, according to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

In its situation report covering October 17–18, BNPB detailed ongoing firefighting operations on the slopes of Mount Lawu in Karanganyar, Central Java, and Mount Arjuno in East Java. A separate wildfire affecting several forest areas in Batu, East Java, was extinguished on Saturday, October 17.

Mount Lawu Fire Burns 200 Hectares

A wildfire was first detected at around 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, in Gondosuli Village, Tawangmangu District, Karanganyar Regency, Central Java. The fire spread through dry grass and pine vegetation on the slopes of Mount Lawu.

According to a preliminary report from the Central Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) as of Saturday, approximately 200 hectares had been burned.

Joint teams involving Karanganyar BPBD, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police, state forestry company Perhutani, village officials, volunteers and local residents were deployed to fight the fire. The teams were divided into four groups to handle four firefighting locations.

Operations faced several challenges, including strong winds, difficult access to the affected areas and dry vegetation that allowed the fire to spread easily. Firefighters also created firebreaks around the affected areas to prevent the flames from spreading further.

Fires Continue on Mount Arjuno

Another wildfire broke out on the slopes of Mount Arjuno, East Java, at around noon on October 15.

The affected locations included Ledug Village in Prigen District, Pasuruan Regency, and Singosari Village in Singosari District, Malang Regency.

As of October 17, the fire had not been fully extinguished. Local disaster management authorities were continuing firefighting operations and assessing the extent of the damage. The difficult terrain and limited water sources hampered efforts to reach and contain the flames.

The extent of the burned area and the resulting material losses had yet to be determined.

Batu Forest Fire Extinguished

In Batu, East Java, a wildfire affected several forest areas, including forest management plots near Giripurno Village in Bumiaji District and areas around Tlekung, Punten and Gunungsari villages.

Joint teams from Batu BPBD, Perhutani, police, village officials, volunteers and residents worked together to extinguish the fire. Authorities reported that the blaze had been brought under control by Saturday, October 17.

Local authorities recorded approximately 14.3 hectares of burned production forest across four villages. Giripurno accounted for 9.25 hectares, followed by Tlekung with 1.5 hectares, Punten with 0.35 hectares and Gunungsari with 3.2 hectares.

BNPB Urges Residents to Prevent Fires

BNPB has urged the public to take precautions against wildfires during the current dry season, which the agency associates with El Niño conditions.

Residents are advised not to burn rubbish or clear agricultural land by setting fires. They are also encouraged to avoid discarding cigarette butts carelessly and to ensure that any embers or open flames are completely extinguished.

The agency has also advised households to prepare for potential water shortages by storing water when supplies are available, using water efficiently, repairing leaking taps and pipes, and reusing suitable household water—for example, using water from washing vegetables to irrigate plants.

Beyond dry-weather hazards, BNPB reminded residents to remain alert to geological disasters, including earthquakes, which can occur at any time. Preparing an emergency go-bag and monitoring official updates from BNPB, regional disaster management agencies and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) are among the recommended preparedness measures.

The latest report highlights the challenges facing firefighting teams as dry vegetation, strong winds and difficult terrain complicate efforts to contain fires in several parts of Java.