Yogyakarta residents urged to avoid burning trash to prevent land fires during dry season

Yogyakarta city officials are appealing to residents to refrain from burning trash, especially during the current dry season, due to the heightened risk of land fires. The warning comes as the region experiences hot, dry weather and windy conditions conducive to the rapid spread of flames.

The Head of the Yogyakarta Fire and Rescue Service, Taokhid, reported that as of the end of July 2026, the city had recorded 42 fires. Of these, five were land fires. Two land fires occurred on Sunday, August 2, 2026, within a short period, indicating an increased risk during the dry season. Taokhid noted that these fires appear to be linked to improperly managed trash burning.

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Indeed, during the dry season, this hot and dry weather indicates an increase in fire cases related to land. The indication is caused by burning trash without supervision, which then spreads.

One of the recent land fires occurred in Muja Muju, Umbulharjo, burning approximately 32 square meters. Shortly after, another land fire broke out in the dormitory area of Pringgokusuman, Gedongtengen, affecting about 56 square meters. Firefighters, along with volunteer teams and local residents, successfully extinguished both fires. While there were no casualties, the land and vegetation sustained damage.

Taokhid emphasized that these consecutive fires serve as a stark reminder of the potential for fires to spread to residential areas. He explained that hot, dry weather combined with wind can easily ignite dry grass and vegetation, making it crucial for the public to avoid burning trash. The fire department is working to mitigate these risks, but public cooperation is essential.

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The hot, dry weather combined with wind means that even a spark can spread very quickly, creating fire hazards in areas with lots of dry grass and plants. Therefore, as a preventative measure, we hope the public will not burn trash.