Bangka Tengah Forest Fires Exceed 118 Hectares in July-August 2026

Forest and land fires continue to spread across Bangka Tengah Regency in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, with the affected area reaching approximately 118 hectares by Saturday, August 8, 2026. The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) confirmed this figure represents the cumulative impact of fire incidents handled by a joint team throughout the year.

Yudi Shabara, head of the Bangka Tengah BPBD, noted a sharp rise in fire incidents as the year progressed. From July to August 8 alone, authorities recorded at least 51 separate land fire events. The area along the main road from Koba to Kurau has become particularly vulnerable, experiencing 11 fire incidents during this period.

"The high number of incidents in the last two months indicates that several areas in Bangka Tengah remain prone to fires, demanding extra vigilance from the public," Yudi stated. Given the dry vegetation and high risk of new ignitions, the BPBD is appealing to all residents to follow crucial prevention steps. These include strictly prohibiting land clearing by burning, promptly reporting any signs of fire to authorities, avoiding careless disposal of cigarette butts or embers in dry areas, and clearing flammable materials around residential areas. Residents are also reminded to ensure all cooking and waste burning fires are completely extinguished after use.