A fast-moving forest fire has destroyed nearly 300 homes on Indonesia’s Sumatra island, forcing almost 1,000 residents to flee as the country struggles to contain widespread wildfires, smoke and worsening air pollution.
The fire broke out in Bangka Belitung province after residents spotted flames approaching their village on Saturday. Villagers initially tried to extinguish the blaze using portable water pumps, but smouldering peat beneath the ground allowed the fire to spread again, driven by shifting winds.
Mayor Riza Herdavid said residents believed the fire was under control before the wind changed direction and pushed the flames towards their homes.
According to AFP, many families escaped with little more than the clothes they were wearing. Leni, a 55-year-old resident sheltering with her family, said her house had been completely destroyed and she had barely managed to save herself and her children.
Another survivor, 50-year-old Haryanti, said strong winds rapidly spread the flames through houses built largely of wood, leaving her family without their belongings.
The disaster has also raised questions about land use in the fire-prone region. Herdavid said the village had been developed last year as a housing complex on former peatland within a protected area. Peatlands can retain heat beneath the surface, allowing fires to smoulder even after visible flames have disappeared and making them difficult to extinguish.
Indonesia faces recurring forest and land fires during the dry season, particularly on Sumatra and Borneo. This year's blazes have been intensified by drought conditions associated with El Niño, while land-clearing practices involving the burning of vegetation have further increased the risk of uncontrolled fires.
The consequences extend beyond destroyed homes and displaced communities. Smoke from the fires has contributed to severe haze and a rise in respiratory illnesses, while pollution has also affected neighbouring Singapore and Malaysia.
In parts of Borneo, thick smoke has hampered firefighting operations, grounding aircraft used to drop water on burning areas, according to the disaster agency.
President Prabowo Subianto ordered the government on Monday to step up efforts against wildfires that have continued for months in some areas. Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya said more than 60,000 personnel had been deployed to fight the fires on the ground.
The destruction in Sumatra highlights the difficulties Indonesia faces in protecting vulnerable communities as prolonged drought, peatland fires and land-use pressures combine to turn local outbreaks into major disasters. For residents who have lost their homes, the immediate challenge is finding shelter and rebuilding their lives, while authorities work to prevent further damage.
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