Sampit: wildfire growing
Four people were killed in Indonesian wildfires, with protests erupting over the government's response.
A wildfire in Sampit, Indonesia, has been detected by satellite, with the area of heat detections at most the size of 160 football pitches, and it is growing with clearly more burning spots than a day earlier.
How is the fire developing?
The wildfire in Sampit is burning weakly, in several spots at once.
Latest updates
The fire was last seen 18 hours ago, by satellite. According to reports, four people were killed after getting trapped by smoke and flames as Indonesia battled its worst forest and land fires in over a decade.
What does this mean for residents?
The wildfires in Indonesia have burned nearly 895,657 hectares across the country, and air pollution in Palangka Raya remained at hazardous levels for 37 consecutive days.
Timeline
- First heat detected by satellite
- thejakartapost.com:
Orange skies, ash-covered homes as wildfire smoke engulfs Palangka Raya
- aol.co.uk:
Four killed as wildfire traps firefighters in Indonesian national park
What we don’t know yet
The cause of the wildfire and its potential damage are not yet known.
Background
Sampit is a large town located in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan Province of Indonesia, with a population of 166,773. In 2026, Indonesia experienced severe wildfires, with 107,465 hectares of land affected by fires from January through June.
What to watch next
The situation in Sampit is a concern for the local community, and the growing wildfire is being monitored. Residents should stay informed about the latest developments to ensure their safety.
Sources
- aol.co.uk: Four killed as wildfire traps firefighters in Indonesian national park (16 Oct)
- thejakartapost.com: Orange skies, ash-covered homes as wildfire smoke engulfs Palangka Raya (16 Oct)
Cover image generated with AI.
About this article: written with the help of AI from the sources listed and our own satellite measurements, and checked by the editors before publication. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
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