September 1, 2026 | 05:29 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) stated that Sumedang Regency had the most forest fires in the province by August 2026.
West Java BPBD's Young Expert Public Relations Officer, Hadi Rahmat Hardjasasmita, said in Bandung on Tuesday that based on data updated on August 27, 2026, Sumedang recorded 20 forest fire incidents.
"Sumedang Regency recorded the most forest and land fire incidents, with 20 incidents, based on data updated as of August 27, 2026," he said, as quoted by ANTARA. After Sumedang, he continued, Majalengka Regency recorded 15 forest and land fire incidents, then Bandung Regency and Subang Regency each recorded 13 incidents.
The West Java BPBD recorded a total of 138 forest fires across 94 subdistricts and 160 villages, affecting 199.60 hectares. "Of the 138 incidents, the affected area reached 199.60 hectares and was spread across several districts and cities in West Java," he said.
He said that although Sumedang had the most incidents, Sukabumi Regency had the largest affected area at 49.20 hectares. Furthermore, Majalengka Regency has an affected area of 25.91 hectares, Kuningan Regency 23.80 hectares, Sumedang Regency 21.68 hectares, and Cirebon Regency 20.73 hectares.
"We continue to monitor and update data on incidents and the extent of impact based on reports received from the regions," he said.
He urged the public to be more vigilant about the potential for forest fires. He asked them to refrain from activities that could trigger fires, especially in areas where forests and land are easily burned.
The agency also continues to coordinate with the district/city BPBD and related agencies to strengthen monitoring, expedite reporting, and handle forest fires in their respective areas.
Previously, the Head of the Emergency and Logistics Division of the Sumedang Regency BPBD, Hendar, said that his team is continuing to increase monitoring of drying vegetation and intensify education to prevent activities that could potentially trigger fires.
"The most important thing is education and outreach to the public so they better understand weather conditions during the dry season, preventing negligence that could potentially lead to fires," he said.
Education is important because, as he previously said, the results of the field investigation did not indicate that the fires were triggered by land clearing. Rather, they were caused by community negligence amidst flammable vegetation.
Read: Indonesia Steps Up Forest Fire Response as September Becomes 'Battleground'
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