BNPB: The Fires in Magetan Had Been Extinguished

Jakarta: Forest and land fires broke out in Magetan, East Java, on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported fires in a community-owned teak forest on Mount Bancak, specifically in Giripurno Village, Kawedanan District, and in a bamboo-covered area in Bibis Hamlet, Bangsri Village, Ngariboyo District.

“The total material loss amounted to approximately six hectares of burned land,” Reported by Berton SP Panjaitan, Acting Head of BNPB’s Center for Disaster Data, Information, and Communication, in an official statement on Friday, October 23, 2026.

He stated the cause of the fires is still under investigation. Berton assured that there were no casualties in the land fires.

“Magetan Regency BPBD personnel went to the location to conduct an assessment and extinguish the fires manually by beating the flames, creating firebreaks, and dousing the area with water, assisted by a fire truck,” he explained.

According to BNPB, the region is under an emergency alert status based on East Java Governor’s Decree Number 100.3.3.1/627/013/2026 concerning the extension of the emergency alert status for drought, forest and land fires, and extreme weather in East Java in 2026 for 55 days, from October 7 to December 1, 2026.

“As of Thursday, October 22, the fires had been extinguished,” he said.

BNPB urges the public to remain cautious against forest and land fires amid dry weather and strong winds. The public is advised not to clear or open land by burning, avoid littering cigarette butts, and ensure that fires used for cooking or burning waste are completely extinguished before leaving the area.

In addition, the public is advised to prepare basic firefighting equipment around their homes, monitor weather and disaster updates from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and local Regional Disaster Management Agencies (BPBD), and immediately report any fire hotspots to village officials, BPBD, or the local fire department.

If dense smoke is present, limit outdoor activities, wear masks, and seek medical attention immediately at a healthcare facility if they experience respiratory problems, particularly children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with respiratory illnesses.

(Yaumil Tianri Rahmi)