RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – A forest and land fire broke out in North Kalimantan over the weekend, renewing urgent calls for heightened vigilance against wildfire risks across the archipelago. The incident comes as Indonesia braces for the onset of the dry season, a period historically marked by a sharp rise in fire incidents nationwide.

The blaze erupted on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at approximately 3:56 p.m. local time, striking Tanjung Harapan Urban Village in South Nunukan Subdistrict, Nunukan Regency, North Kalimantan. The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) confirmed that the cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the relevant authorities.

"The cause of the fire is still being investigated by the authorities," said Head of the BNPB Data, Information, and Disaster Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, in Jakarta on Monday, May 11, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He added that the immediate priority had been to extinguish the flames before they could spread further.

According to a field report from the Nunukan Regency Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the fire burned through approximately two hectares of land before it was brought under control. A joint team comprising various elements, including the Fire-Aware Community Group (MPA), was swiftly deployed to the site, equipped with ground firefighting vehicles and suppression equipment.

Their rapid response proved effective, with the fire fully extinguished on the same day at around 6:33 p.m. local time. The incident comes at a particularly sensitive time, as Indonesia is currently transitioning from the wet season into the dry season, a period historically associated with a sharp rise in forest and land fire incidents.

In light of this, Abdul Muhari called on regional administrations and local communities to raise their alertness against both hydrometeorological disasters and the growing threat of wildfires.

"We are asking that preparedness be stepped up across a number of regions in Indonesia, particularly in monitoring fire-prone areas, in order to minimise broader impact during the dry season," he said. ***