Safety
Wildfires Approach Indonesia’s New Capital, Nusantara
Indonesian authorities are battling wildfires that have spread to areas surrounding the new capital, Nusantara, as part of a broader crisis affecting over 458,000 rai across the country.
According to a report by Khaosod Online citing Reuters on September 5, 2026, Indonesia is intensifying efforts to contain wildfires that have reached the vicinity of Nusantara, the nation's new capital currently under construction. Disaster relief agencies are deploying aerial water drops and cloud seeding to combat the blazes, which have already scorched more than 458,193 rai across Borneo and Sumatra.
Agus Riyanto, director of emergency response at the disaster mitigation agency, confirmed that the most significant fires near the capital occurred in the Bukit Suharto forest park, located approximately 50 kilometers from the city center. Reports indicate that over 1,875 rai within the park and roughly 2,500 rai in the surrounding areas of Nusantara have been affected. While the eastern region of Borneo had remained relatively safe since the dry season began in July, the recent spread of fire toward the capital site has raised concerns.
For travelers and residents, these fires may lead to localized air quality issues and potential disruptions to regional infrastructure projects. The $32 billion capital project, initiated in 2019 to replace Jakarta, has already faced various delays and budget adjustments under the administration of President Prabowo Subianto. It remains to be confirmed how effectively the current mitigation efforts will curb the spread and whether the fires will impact the long-term construction timeline of the new capital.