Indonesian police arrest 72 people suspected of starting forest fires
Indonesian Police have named 138 individual suspects and are investigating eight corporations across 200 wildfire cases nationwide. Recent enforcement actions include the arrest of four individuals in Siak Regency, Riau, and the naming of a suspect identified as JP for a fire involving approximately 4 hectares in Pemandang Village, Rokan Hulu Regency. Meanwhile, schools in South Sumatra have shifted to remote learning as forest fires produce worsening haze. These legal actions follow earlier arrests of 72 people in South Sumatra, the region currently recording the highest number of wildfire hot spots in the country.
What changed
Police expanded the number of individual suspects to 138 and launched probes into eight corporations.
Live updates
-
Indonesian Police Name 138 Wildfire Suspects and Probe Eight Corporations
Indonesian Police have named 138 individual suspects and are investigating eight corporations across 200 wildfire cases nationwide. Recent enforcement actions include the arrest of four individuals in Siak Regency, Riau, and the naming of a suspect identified as JP for a fire involving approximately 4 hectares in Pemandang Village, Rokan Hulu Regency. Meanwhile, schools in South Sumatra have shifted to remote learning as forest fires produce worsening haze. These legal actions follow earlier arrests of 72 people in South Sumatra, the region currently recording the highest number of wildfire hot spots in the country.
Why it matters
Wildfires in Sumatra and Kalimantan are driven by a prolonged dry season and an intensifying El Nino pattern. The resulting haze has crossed borders into the Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore. Authorities are balancing criminal investigations with emergency measures to combat the blazes.
What is confirmed
- Indonesian Police named 138 individual suspects and are probing eight corporations across 200 wildfire cases nationwide.
- Police arrested four individuals suspected of involvement in forest and land fires in Siak Regency, Riau.
- A man with the initials JP is a suspect in a forest and land fire case involving approximately 4 hectares in Pemandang Village, Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau.
- Schools in South Sumatra province have switched to remote learning due to worsening haze.
What to watch next
- Results of the corporate investigations into the eight probed companies
- Changes in haze levels affecting school reopenings in South Sumatra
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (10)
- jen.jiji.com — Narwal at IFA 2026, AI for an increasingly smart home (2)
- jen.jiji.com — Japan issues Level 5 landslide warning for islands south of Tokyo amid heavy rain
- inp.polri.go.id — Four Hectares of Land Fire Suspect Arrested by Police in Riau
- inp.polri.go.id — INP Name 138 Wildfire Suspects, Investigate Eight Corporations
- jen.jiji.com — Kazakhstan to commission 1GW wind farm in 2029
- jen.jiji.com — Almaty-London flight diverted to Frankfurt amid Heathrow closure
- inp.polri.go.id — Four Suspects of Wildfire Identified in Siak, Riau
- apnews.com — More schools close in Indonesia due to worsening haze from forest fires
- jen.jiji.com — PISA 2025: OECD reading and math scores hit record lows
- jen.jiji.com — Traditional funeral held in Norway for late King Harald
-
Indonesian Wildfires Spread Haze as El Nino Drives Dry Season
Wildfires continue to burn across Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia, creating a choking haze that has spread to Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. Indonesian authorities have intensified operations to combat the blazes, which are driven by an intensifying El Nino pattern and a prolonged dry season. Officials in South Sumatra previously turned to spiritual measures and prayer gatherings to seek rain following the arrest of 72 people suspected of deliberately starting the fires. The region currently faces the highest number of wildfire hot spots in the country.
Why it matters
The ongoing fires threaten precious forests and peatlands in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. Intensified burning during prolonged dry seasons exacerbates regional air quality crises across Southeast Asia.
What is confirmed
- Indonesian authorities are intensifying operations as fires continue to burn across Sumatra and Kalimantan.
- Haze from the Indonesian wildfires has spread to Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
- Indonesian officials in South Sumatra previously turned to spiritual measures and prayer gatherings to seek rain.
- Police previously arrested 72 people suspected of deliberately starting the fires.
What to watch next
- Updates on air quality levels across affected Southeast Asian nations
- Reports on rainfall or successful firefighting operations in Sumatra and Kalimantan
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (11)
- jen.jiji.com — Kazakhstan appoints deputies to Security Council Office
- jen.jiji.com — Murat Baimukashev appointed Head of Kazakhstan’s Security Council Office
- jen.jiji.com — Kazakhstan knocks out Hungary to reach Socca World Cup quarterfinals
- jen.jiji.com — Kazakhstan weather forecast for September 6
- www.news9live.com — News Updates 05.09.2026: Congress replaces Bhupesh Baghel with Sachin Pilot as Punjab general secretary
- jen.jiji.com — Kazakhstan wins 6 gold medals in togyzkumalak and mangala at World Nomad Games
- jen.jiji.com — Almaty oncology center introduces robotic pharmacy system
- www.pbs.org — Volcanic island in Indonesia erupts, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights
- www.theguardian.com — El Niño-fuelled wildfires destroy precious Indonesian forests – in pictures
- jen.jiji.com — Ciara announces pregnancy with fifth child
- jen.jiji.com — Türkiye to launch Akkuyu NPP by yearend
-
South Sumatra authorities use prayer to combat forest fires
Indonesian officials in South Sumatra have turned to spiritual measures and prayer gatherings to seek rain as massive blazes continue to scorch forests and peatlands. The fires have created a choking haze across several cities in the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. This follows the arrest of 72 people suspected of deliberately starting the fires. The region currently faces the highest number of wildfire hot spots in Indonesia, driven by an intensifying El Nino pattern and a prolonged dry season.
Why it matters
Forest and peatland fires in Indonesia frequently cause severe air pollution and health crises across Southeast Asia. These blazes are often linked to land clearing for agriculture, exacerbated by climate patterns. The current situation in South Sumatra is particularly severe due to the concentration of hot spots.
What is confirmed
- Authorities in South Sumatra province turned to spiritual measures on Tuesday to address huge blazes in central and western regions.
- Forest and peatland fires in South Sumatra have created a choking haze that blanketed some cities.
- Police arrested 72 individuals suspected of deliberately starting the fires.
- The fires were exacerbated by an intensifying El Nino pattern and a prolonged dry season.
Still unconfirmed
- South Sumatra province currently records the highest number of wildfire hot spots in Indonesia.
What to watch next
- Official reports on the number of hectares burned in South Sumatra
- Legal proceedings and charges against the 72 suspects
- Changes in air quality indices in affected cities
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (25)
- www.nytimes.com — The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos
- nationalpost.com — Entertainment News, Gossip, Photos and Headlines | National Post
- jen.jiji.com — Ilary Blasi and Bastian Müller getting married, the wedding on September 13 in Ravello: what we know
- jen.jiji.com — Burioni: "Borghi sued me for opinions on his political actions"
- www.standard.net — Indonesians brave choking smoke to pray for rain as country battles wildfires
- jen.jiji.com — Fires in Sardinia, night of fire in Arzana: two Canadair aircraft in flight since dawn - Video
- jen.jiji.com — Bangkok urges public to avoid Khlong Thom fire zone as PM2.5 hits 630
- jen.jiji.com — Migrants, Spanish media: Italy ready to extend border controls
- jen.jiji.com — Serie A, today Cagliari-Inter: time, probable lineups and where to watch it
- jen.jiji.com — 25 cited in Pattaya crackdown on public-area prostitution
- jen.jiji.com — Nepal flood death toll rises to 788, police say
- jen.jiji.com — Grand Canyon Flood, '15 Missing and Dozens Evacuated'
-
South Sumatra officials use prayer to combat severe forest fires
Authorities in South Sumatra are employing spiritual measures to address massive forest and peatland blazes. The province currently records the highest number of wildfire hot spots in Indonesia. These fires have created a choking haze that blankets several cities across the world's most populous Muslim-majority country. This follows the arrest of 72 individuals suspected of deliberately starting the fires, which were exacerbated by a prolonged dry season and an intensifying El Nino pattern.
Why it matters
The smoke from these blazes has crossed international borders into Malaysia, reducing visibility and creating hazardous air quality. Investigators are currently examining if plantation companies financed or ordered the burning of land.
Still unconfirmed
- Authorities in South Sumatra have turned to spiritual measures to combat huge blazes in central and western regions.
What to watch next
- Results of the investigation into plantation company involvement
- Official reports on the reduction of hot spots in South Sumatra
- Updates on the legal proceedings against the 72 arrested suspects
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (8)
- jen.jiji.com — Meta, social media addiction lawsuit: settlement for over 16 billion dollars
- www.thestar.com.my — Battling blazes with prayer
- english.aawsat.com — Australian Police Hunt Thieves in $250,000 Oyster Heist
- jen.jiji.com — Dawson's Creek, Busy Philipps: "I discovered I had a brain tumor the day after James Van Der Beek's death"
- jen.jiji.com — Teaches that "climate change exists", professor fired in America
- jen.jiji.com — Zelensky and the 'mysterious' video: "Where do cars and trucks come from?"
- jen.jiji.com — Milan, illnesses due to fumes in pharmaceutical company: 85 evacuated, 3 hospitalized
- jen.jiji.com — Can Thailand pay off its Myanmar problem? | The Signal Ep 39
-
Indonesia arrests 72 people suspected of starting forest fires
Indonesian police have arrested 72 people suspected of deliberately starting forest and peatland fires, which have generated dense smoke that has crossed into Malaysia, disrupting visibility and sending hazardous haze across the border. The fires have been fueled by an intensifying El Niño pattern and prolonged dry season. Authorities are investigating whether plantation companies financed or ordered land burning.
Why it matters
Indonesia has been battling forest fires, which have become a recurring issue in the country. The fires have significant environmental and health impacts, and the arrests are part of efforts to crack down on those responsible. The situation is being closely monitored, with concerns about the impact on neighboring countries.
What is confirmed
- Indonesian police arrested 72 people suspected of starting forest and peatland fires.
- The fires have generated dense smoke that has crossed into Malaysia, disrupting visibility and sending hazardous haze across the border.
- The fires have been fueled by an intensifying El Niño pattern and prolonged dry season.
- Authorities in Indonesia's South Sumatra province have held a mass Islamic prayer for rain as forest and peatland fires fueled choking haze across parts of the country.
What to watch next
- Further arrests of individuals suspected of starting forest fires
- Investigations into whether plantation companies financed or ordered land burning
- Progress in containing the forest fires and reducing the haze
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (6)
- www.1news.co.nz — Indonesia intensifies firefighting as wildfire smoke invades Malaysia
- news.tuoitre.vn — Indonesian police arrest 72 people suspected of starting forest fires
- abcnews.com — Muslims gather for rain prayers in Indonesia's wildfire-hit South Sumatra
- www.theguardian.com — ‘Like smoking a cigarette’: Indonesia chokes on haze as blazes intensify amid super ‘El Niño’
- news.mongabay.com — Indonesia charges 72 over fires as haze chokes Borneo and Sumatra
- www.yahoo.com — Indonesian Muslims brave choking smoke to pray for rain as country battles wildfires
-
Indonesia arrests 72 people suspected of starting forest fires
Indonesian police have arrested 72 people suspected of deliberately starting forest and peatland fires amid an intensifying El Niño pattern and prolonged dry season. The fires have generated dense smoke that has crossed into Malaysia, disrupting visibility and sending hazardous haze across the border. Indonesia has been battling the fires, with police investigating whether plantation companies financed or ordered land burning.
Why it matters
The forest fires in Indonesia are a recurring issue, exacerbated by dry conditions and El Niño weather patterns. The fires not only affect Indonesia but also neighboring countries, including Malaysia, due to the transboundary haze. The situation is critical, with tens of thousands of hectares scorched and hazardous air quality reported.
What is confirmed
- Indonesian police have arrested 72 people suspected of starting forest fires
- The forest fires in Indonesia have generated dense smoke that has crossed into Malaysia
- Indonesia is battling fires driven by an intensifying El Niño pattern and a prolonged dry season
- Police are investigating whether plantation companies financed or ordered land burning
Still unconfirmed
- Malaysia's national disaster management agency is preparing schedules for cloud seeding operations at shared borders
What to watch next
- Further arrests in connection with the forest fires
- Progress in cloud seeding operations
- Impact of El Niño on future fire seasons
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (12)
- AP News — Indonesian police arrest 72 people suspected of starting forest fires
- Reuters — Indonesia prioritises Kalimantan region as wildfire hotspots rise
- Al Jazeera — Indonesia bolsters troop numbers to combat Borneo wildfires
- New Scientist — Super El Niño could lead to mega CO2 emissions from fires in Indonesia
- Fox 59 — Indonesia warns against starting open blazes as haze from wildfires spreads to Malaysia
- The New York Times — Gripped by El Niño, Indonesia Battles Intensifying Wildfires
- Bloomberg — Prabowo Surveys Indonesia Wildfires Causing World’s Worst Air
- www.independent.co.uk — Indonesia police arrest 72 people suspected of starting forest and peatland fires
- kdhnews.com — Indonesia intensifies aerial firefighting as wildfire haze spreads to Malaysia
- theasialive.com — Indonesia Arrests 72 Over Forest Fires as Toxic Haze Spreads Across Borneo and Malaysia
- www.aol.com — Indonesia to open airspace for cloud seeding in latest bid to tackle choking haze
- www.outlookindia.com — Indonesia Arrests 72 Over 89 Forest Fire Cases Amid Malaysia Haze