JAKARTA, thekabarnews.com—Indonesia recorded 2,186 disasters between Jan. 1 and Oct. 21, 2026, as authorities intensified efforts to control forest and land fires (karhutla) across several provinces, the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported.

More than 99 percent of this year’s recorded incidents were associated with wet or dry hydrometeorological hazards. These include floods, landslides, extreme weather, drought and karhutla.

BNPB added seven incidents to its database on Wednesday, comprising six forest and land fires and one flood. The BNPB’s daily disaster report said fires continued to dominate the incidents reported during the latest monitoring period.

BNPB has prioritized firefighting operations in Central Kalimantan, South Sumatra, Jambi, South Kalimantan, West Kalimantan and Riau. Firefighting teams extinguished more than 502 of the 983 hectares targeted across those provinces and continued handling fires across the remaining 481 hectares.

Central Kalimantan accounted for the largest unresolved area at more than 321 hectares. South Sumatra followed with over 84 hectares.

Outside the six priority provinces, BNPB recorded fires covering more than 1,044 hectares between East Kalimantan and North Maluku.

About 44 hectares had been extinguished, while approximately 1,000 hectares remained under response. The figures are operational estimates and may change as field teams complete their assessments.

BNPB reported that authorities deployed 71,878 personnel across the six priority provinces, including more than 11,000 additional personnel on Wednesday, mainly in Central Kalimantan. The deployment includes government personnel and other members of joint response teams.

The aerial fleet used for water bombing and patrols increased from 49 to 51 helicopters. Aircraft also conducted 10 weather-modification sorties over West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Sumatra on Wednesday, dispersing 5.5 tonnes of dry ice and 2.6 tonnes of sodium chloride.

Jambi did not conduct weather modification because cloud conditions were unsuitable. Aircraft stationed in Riau and South Kalimantan instead supported operations in neighboring priority areas.

Fire also spread across Mount Sumbing in Wonosobo regency, Central Java, after flames appeared near the Gajah Mungkur hiking route on Monday. Authorities evacuated more than 160 climbers and temporarily closed the mountain’s hiking and tourism routes.

The burned area was provisionally estimated at 140 hectares across 14 fire points in Kalikajar, Kajoran and surrounding districts. Officials said they would update the estimate after completing field verification.

BNPB also expressed condolences over the deaths of five people involved in firefighting operations around Mount Bromo: Sukaris, Hendra Roni Wagiyanata, Sefriel Ardiansyah, Wisnu Yudapratama and Munawi.

The agency urged visitors not to light fires carelessly in forests or mountain areas. It also advised people to extinguish campfires and cigarettes completely and report smoke or flames immediately.

While dry conditions elevate fire risks, Tropical Cyclone Champi is generating indirect hazards in waters north of Indonesia. The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) warned of high waves in waters around the Talaud Islands, northern Raja Ampat, Manokwari, Halmahera and the Pacific Ocean north of West Papua.

BMKG reported that Champi developed from Tropical Cyclone Seed 96W on Oct. 15. Coastal communities and fishers should check updated forecasts before going to sea because cyclone intensity and affected waters can change rapidly.

BNPB also continues supporting recovery from an earlier earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara. Authorities have verified 51,733 damaged homes, comprising 5,964 with severe damage, 15,346 with moderate damage and 30,423 with minor damage.

The combination of active fires, an approaching rainy-season transition and cyclone-related maritime hazards requires different responses across Indonesia. BNPB urged residents to follow information from BNPB, local disaster agencies and BMKG rather than relying on unverified social media updates.