Four killed fighting Java wildfire as Indonesia battles worst forest fires in a decade

Deaths on Java island

The four people died while tackling a wildfire inside a national park on Java, the Forestry Ministry said. Two others sustained serious burns and are being treated. The deaths come as Indonesia faces its worst forest fires in more than a decade. Jakarta has said it will accept help from abroad to fight the blazes.

Hotspots rise nationwide

Satellite monitoring recorded 799 high-confidence hotspots across Indonesia by Thursday night, according to the ministry. That was 427 more than the previous day. The ministry warned that a hotspot reading does not necessarily represent a separate fire. A single blaze may produce multiple readings.

Haze affects neighbours

Fires have sent haze across Indonesia’s borders, Reuters reported. Sumatra and Borneo, islands near Singapore and Malaysia, are among the hardest-hit areas. The fires have been blamed for respiratory problems affecting hundreds of thousands of people. School closures have also been reported in Malaysia and East Timor, Reuters said.

Offers of outside assistance

Malaysia offered last month to provide three helicopters, an aircraft and 52 personnel, but Reuters reported that no follow-up had occurred. Singapore has said it is prepared to assist.

Indonesia has faced strong criticism over the fires. The government’s statement that it will accept foreign help comes amid the continuing regional effects.