Environmental
Early forest fires prompt emergency alert in Riau, Indonesia
Riau province declares an emergency alert as early dry season fires burn over 2,700 hectares of forest and peatland, triggering haze and emergency firefighting measures.
Riau province in Sumatra has declared an emergency alert due to a surge in early dry season forest and land fires that have burned at least 2,713 hectares of land by late March 2026. Authorities report a doubling in the number of fire hotspots compared to the same period in 2025, largely on peat‑rich areas that risk prolonged smoldering and transboundary haze. Firefighting teams have deployed water bombers and cloud‑seeding operations to contain the blazes and prevent a repeat of the severe regional haze episodes seen in 2013 and 2015. The situation underscores growing concerns about Indonesia’s vulnerability to El Niño‑driven prolonged dry seasons and repeated fire cycles.
- Status
- active
- Location
- Riau province, Sumatra, Indonesia
- Date added
- 2026-03-31 12:44 UTC
- Added by
- bodglobalapdrt
- Last updated
- 2026-03-31 12:44 UTC
- Source
- The Straits Times
- Connected threats
- Not provided