BPBD: Sumedang Records West Java’s Most Forest Fires

Sumedang Regency recorded more forest and land fires than any other regency in West Java by late August, with 20 incidents logged by the provincial disaster management agency.

Majalengka followed with 15 incidents, while Bandung and Subang each recorded 13. Across the province, BPBD counted 138 fires in 94 subdistricts and 160 villages. The fires affected 199.60 hectares of land.

The number of incidents did not correspond to the largest burned area. Sukabumi recorded the widest affected area, at 49.20 hectares. Majalengka followed with 25.91 hectares, Kuningan with 23.80 hectares, Sumedang with 21.68 hectares and Cirebon with 20.73 hectares.

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Sumedang Regency recorded the most forest and land fire incidents, with 20 incidents, based on data updated as of August 27, 2026.

West Java BPBD public relations officer Hadi Rahmat Hardjasasmita said the agency continues to update incident and impact data based on reports from local areas. The agency is also coordinating with district and city disaster offices to strengthen monitoring, speed up reporting and manage fires.

Sumedang’s disaster agency is monitoring drying vegetation and increasing public education. Its emergency and logistics division head, Hendar, said field investigations had not linked the fires to land clearing. He attributed them instead to community negligence amid highly flammable vegetation.

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The most important thing is education and outreach to the public so they better understand weather conditions during the dry season, preventing negligence that could potentially lead to fires.