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26 Hectares of Pine Forest in Pekalongan Burned as Smoke Continues to Rise

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A fire raged through the pine forest owned by Perum Perhutani at Block 73G of RPH Sigugur, Bubak Village, Kandangserang District, Pekalongan Regency, Central Java. The fire was first detected around 1:00 p.m. WIB on Saturday (19/9/2026). As of Sunday (20/9/2026) afternoon, smoke still billowed from several burning pine trees.(DOKUMENTASI/POLSEK KANDANGSERANG)

PEKALONGAN, KOMPAS.com – A fire broke out in a pine forest owned by Perum Perhutani at Block 73G of RPH Sigugur, Bubak Village, Kandangserang District, Pekalongan Regency, Central Java.

The fire was first reported on Saturday (19/9/2026) around 1:00 p.m. WIB. As of Sunday (20/9/2026) afternoon, plumes of smoke were still visible rising from several burning pine trees.

Kandangserang Police Precinct Chief, Police Inspector Tamerin, said the dry weather conditions and strong winds caused the fire to spread rapidly across several nearby blocks. Additionally, the steep terrain made some fire spots difficult for both officials and locals to reach.

Based on monitoring until Sunday at 1:00 a.m. WIB, the burned area was estimated to cover approximately 26 hectares.

The affected area includes Block 73C of RPH Sigugur covering about 13 hectares and Block 73G of RPH Sigugur around 11 hectares.

"The main fire has been successfully extinguished. Currently, only embers remain on some of the burned pine stumps," Tamerin said when contacted by Kompas.com via phone on Sunday (20/9/2026).

Joint task forces remain on alert to anticipate any new flare-ups. Monitoring focuses on wind direction, while manual firefighting continues at spots still accessible.

Residents resumed firefighting efforts around 7:00 a.m. WIB.

Locals armed with hoes and spray tanks assisted authorities in putting out remaining fire points within the forest area.

Acting Head of the Pekalongan Regency Fire and Rescue Unit, Andri Setioko, said smoke was still visible from several burned trees as of Sunday afternoon.

"Since 7:00 a.m. this morning in Bubak, residents have brought hoes and spray tanks to extinguish remaining fire points. Until this afternoon, smoke still rises from the burned trees," Andri said.

At this time, the exact cause of the fire and the extent of losses have not yet been determined.

"We urge the community around the forest area to refrain from activities that could ignite new sparks while the forest remains dry and embers persist," Andri added.