Indonesia wildfire razes nearly 300 homes in Bangka Belitung

A forest fire on Indonesia's Sumatra island has destroyed nearly 300 homes in Bangka Belitung province, forcing hundreds of residents to flee. Local officials said the blaze moved rapidly toward a settlement after wind direction changed over peatland in the area. The fire has added to a wider pattern of severe wildfires and haze affecting parts of the country during the dry season.

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South Bangka regency head Riza Herdavid said residents first noticed the fire approaching their village on Saturday and tried to extinguish it themselves using portable water pumps. He said the fire had been smouldering beneath peatland before the wind shifted and drove it toward the settlement. The local disaster agency said nearly 1,000 people had fled the village, while the fire destroyed homes made mostly of wood.

Residents described losing their homes and belongings as they escaped. One woman, Leni, said her house was gone and that she had only been able to save herself and her children. Another survivor, Haryanti, said strong winds fuelled the flames and left her with only the clothes she was wearing.

Officials also said the village had been built on land that was once peatland in a protected area and was converted into a housing complex last year. The incident matters because peatland fires can be difficult to control and can spread quickly once they are ignited. Indonesia has long faced seasonal wildfires, but officials and experts say conditions have been worse this year because of El Niño, which has intensified dry weather.

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The fires have also contributed to haze and air pollution, with wider effects beyond the immediate burn area. The latest blaze comes as the country battles fires that have been raging for months in some places. Authorities have linked the broader fire problem to dry conditions, wind, and land-clearance practices that can alter landscapes that are naturally more resistant to fire.

The government has said it is mobilising maximum efforts to extinguish the wildfires, reflecting the scale of the emergency. What remains unclear is how much of the fire is now under control and whether more homes or nearby areas remain at risk. It is also not yet clear how long displaced residents will need to stay in shelters or what support will be provided for rebuilding.

The situation will be watched closely as officials continue efforts to contain the blaze and assess the damage.

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