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Indonesian police arrest 72 in connection with worsening fires

Police said the fires were likely started to clear plantation land for farming.

Published: 8:32pm, 24 Aug 2026Updated: 8:32pm, 24 Aug 2026

Indonesian police have arrested 72 individuals charged with setting 89 fires across nine provinces in Sumatra and the Indonesian side of Borneo. Authorities allege these fires were deliberately set to clear plantations cheaply, amid an intense El Nino pattern and prolonged dry season.

Indonesian police arrest 72 in connection with worsening fires

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Police said the fires were likely started to clear plantation land for farming.

Police said the fires were likely started to clear plantation land for farming.