Wildfires burn across Indonesia as officials cite El Nino as a cause

Close to 50,000 firefighters and disaster personnel, backed by dozens of helicopters, are battling wildfires in several parts of Indonesia after an unusually dry season in the sprawling archipelago.

Increased El Nino conditions have raised the risk of more forest and land fires during the peak dry season, said Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Djamari Chaniago, on Monday.

Authorities in East Java say the largest blaze is in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, where about 743 hectares (1,836 acres) of land have been scorched. The park is closed to visitors until further notice.

“This closure is a crucial step to ⁠⁠maintain the safety of visitors, staff and ⁠⁠people in the surrounding areas,” the park’s operator said on its Instagram page.

The fire has burned large areas of dry grassland, vegetation and protected Edelweiss flowers. Flames have spread to the Penanjakan area, a popular viewpoint for tourists visiting the volcanic landscape of Mount Bromo, one of Indonesia’s best-known attractions. No injuries or building evacuations have been reported.

Almost 6,000 firefighters have been deployed to battle wildfires in Jambi province. Officials said deep peat soil, limited water supplies, difficult access and strong winds have complicated efforts, even with help from three firefighting helicopters.

Dry weather and strengthening El Nino conditions have raised the risk of fires during the peak dry season, according to Indonesia’s forestry ministry. Indonesia’s BMKG weather agency has warned that the 2026 dry season will be more intense and prolonged than usual, with a higher risk of wildfires and drought due in part to El Nino.

The naturally occurring climate phenomenon brings worldwide changes in winds, air pressure and rainfall patterns and typically causes drier conditions in India and Southeast Asia. The last El Nino helped make 2023 and 2024 the two hottest years on record globally.