Wildfire near Bontang Baru (Oct 26), Indonesia (2026)

Wildfire near Bontang Baru (Oct 26) — NASA satellite

Yesterday's image: fire shows in orange and red. NASA MODIS

The story so far

About 15 km southwest of Bontang Baru.

An active wildfire is currently burning near Bontang Baru, Indonesia, following its outbreak on October 26, 2026. Operating within the typical conditions of the dry season, the active fire front is producing an intense heat signature as detected by satellites, which have recorded 21 heat detections over the past 48 hours, illustrating how far the fire has spread across the area.

Based on the number of satellite hotspots, the fire has reached a rough estimated size of 300 hectares, equivalent to 741 acres. This local incident unfolds against a broader national backdrop where 8,450,161 hectares have burned so far in 2026, marking a figure that is 137% above the two-decade average for the country.

In context

This wildfire has been burning in Indonesia for 1 day. So far it has affected roughly 300 ha (741 acres) — about 3.0 km². That size is an estimate from satellite hotspots, not a measured area.

Close to the tropics, fires tend to follow the dry season and are often linked to land-clearing rather than a single summer peak.