Indonesia Wildfires: Residents Pray for Rain as Smoke Spreads

Indonesia Turns to Prayer as Wildfires Blanket Cities in Smoke

Thousands gather for a traditional prayer as forest fires send thick haze across South Sumatra.

25 August 2026 · 2 min read

Authorities in Indonesia’s South Sumatra province have held a mass Islamic prayer for rain as forest and peatland fires fueled choking haze across parts of the country. (REUTERS)Authorities i

Residents gather in Palembang for a special prayer for rain as wildfire smoke blankets South Sumatra. — Reuters/arabnews

PALEMBANG: Thousands of Indonesians gathered in South Sumatra on Tuesday for a special Islamic prayer for rain as widespread forest and peatland fires blanketed parts of the country in thick, choking smoke.

Around 3,000 people gathered in Palembang, the provincial capital, to perform Salat Istisqa, a traditional prayer for rain. Visibility in parts of the city was severely reduced by the haze, with motorists reportedly using headlights even during daylight.

South Sumatra has recorded the country's highest number of wildfire hotspots, with 1,429 hotspots, followed by West Kalimantan with 1,226 and Central Kalimantan with 811, according to the figures cited in the report.

Nearly 940 square kilometres of land were burned across Indonesia in July, including more than 20 square kilometres in South Sumatra.

Firefighting Continues

The prayer came alongside an expanding government response. Indonesia is using water-bombing aircraft and cloud-seeding operations to encourage rainfall and help contain fires.

Authorities have deployed dozens of aircraft and helicopters across Sumatra and Kalimantan, while emergency teams continue fighting fires in forests and peatlands.

South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru said the prayer was intended to complement firefighting efforts and bring communities together during the prolonged dry spell.

Arrests Over Fires

Authorities are also investigating the human causes behind some of the fires.

Indonesian police have arrested 72 people suspected of starting fires, while four companies are reportedly under investigation over allegations that fire was used to clear land cheaply.

Forest and peatland fires are a recurring problem during Indonesia's dry season. Agricultural and plantation burning can produce hazardous haze that affects public health, transport and visibility.

The smoke has also crossed Indonesia's borders into neighbouring Malaysia and Brunei, according to disaster-management authorities.

The latest crisis highlights the growing challenge of managing wildfires as prolonged dry conditions combine with land-clearing practices and increasingly difficult weather patterns.

— AALIMI NATION | Asia & Environment Desk