Wildfires Ravage Indonesia: Here’s What Bali Tourists Need To Know

Wildfires are ravaging high swathes of Kalimantan on the island of Borneo. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has personally led the response to the forest and land fires in the region and visited Kalimantan over the weekend.

Core Overview & Regional Developments

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said that Prabowo had instructed the top ranks of the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to work directly with local governments and communities to handle forest and land fires in four provinces: West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, and East Kalimantan.

Regional leaders have been given orders by the President to expedite the handling of the wildfires in Kalimantan to protect local people, wildlife, and the landscape. Tourist traveling to Kalimantan are urged to check in with their travel providers to understand what is happening on the ground in real time to assess whether travel plans need to be changed. 

Wildfires are also ripping through several provinces in Sumatra, including Riau and Jambi Province. As cited by AP News, data published by Indonesia’s Environment Ministry shows that South Sumatra recorded the highest number of hot spots nationwide with 1,429, followed by West Kalimantan with 1,226 and Central Kalimantan with 811. East Kalimantan logged 576 hot spots, ahead of Riau with 503, while West Papua and Jambi recorded 468 and 458 hot spots, respectively.

More than 24,000 firefighters have been deployed across Borneo and Sumatra, along with 35 foreign-registered aircraft deployed to battle the fires with water bombs. By the end of Monday, 36,000 hectares of Indonesia were ablaze across 10 provinces. 

Operational Details & Local Coordination

So far, Indonesian police have arrested 72 people in connection with starting fires. Drought and an intense El Niño have worsened the potential risks of wildfires across the regions, but plantation owners and traditional farmers are known to start fires at this time of year to clear the land for farming, with the situation quickly getting out of hand. There are now huge concerns for public health as the smoke and haze from the fires are spreading across Sumatra and Kalimantan, even into Malaysian Borneo. 

Tourists traveling to Indonesia in the coming weeks must ensure that their insurance covers natural disasters, including wildfires. Tourists traveling to regions such as Sumatra and Kalimantan are advised to check in with their travel providers directly to get up-to-the-minute information regarding the situation on the ground. 

As for Bali, there are no wildfires reported at the moment, though the risk is high and both local communities and tourists must be aware. Drought risk is already being mitigated by leaders in Bali as the rainy season is only due to start in two months’ time. That being said, in September 2025 Bali experienced the worst flooding in living memory when rains came unseasonably early. 

Traveler Perspectives & Corridor Insights

Speaking to reporters last week, Bali’s Regional Secretary Dewa Made Indra confirmed that the Bali Provincial Government is anticipating drought due to the long dry season and is implementing clean water assistance immediately. 

Indra explained, “We are currently facing a dry season, which could potentially lead to drought and limited water resources. Therefore, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has coordinated preparations, checked all equipment, and jointly identified areas where water shortages exist. We will provide clean water assistance.”

Top tourist destinations are at risk of drought, and many areas are at risk of wildfire, including Bangli Regency, which is best known to tourists for destinations like Kintamani and Penglipuran Village, and Buleleng Regency, which is home to destinations like Lovina, Munduk, and Pemuteran.

What It Means for Travelers

Staying informed on regional developments helps visitors navigate the island with confidence and ease. Plan journeys with sensible logistical buffers and consult authoritative destination resources for up-to-date guidance.