Indonesian President Prabowo has directed government agencies to work together in a coordinated response to the wildfires currently burning across the country, according to a report from CNA. The order comes as multiple fires continue to spread, with smoke and haze drifting across parts of Southeast Asia.
The president’s directive was issued on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, as authorities struggled to bring the blazes under control. CNA reports that Prabowo is seeking a unified approach involving multiple government bodies, rather than separate efforts by individual agencies.
The fires have already caused significant disruption. According to The Straits Times, schools have been closed in affected areas as a safety measure. Reuters reports that Indonesia is racing to contain the fires as haze spreads beyond its borders, affecting neighboring countries in the region.
One notable blaze, at Mount Bromo, a popular tourist destination, has been extinguished, but the South China Morning Post reports that new fires are emerging and threatening other areas. AsiaOne also noted that the Mount Bromo fire has spread, contributing to the wider crisis.
The situation remains fluid, with multiple outlets describing the fires as growing. The coordinated measures ordered by Prabowo are intended to improve the efficiency of firefighting and haze mitigation efforts across the archipelago.
What to watch next: Whether the coordinated response can slow the spread of fires before the haze causes further school closures or cross-border air quality alerts.
