Hundreds of firefighters and helicopters are engaged in an arduous battle against expanding wildfires across various regions of Indonesia, following an unusually dry season in the extensive archipelago. The increased risk of forest and land fires during the peak dry season has been attributed to strengthening El Nino conditions by Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Djamari Chaniago. Notably, a significant blaze is engulfing Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, scorching approximately 743 hectares (1,836 acres) of land, compelling the park to be temporarily closed for visitor safety. The fire has incinerated vast expanses of dry grassland, vegetation, and protected Edelweiss flowers, with flames spreading to the Penanjakan area, a popular tourist destination offering panoramic views of Mount Bromo. Meanwhile, nearly 6,000 firefighters are battling wildfires in Jambi province, where complications such as deep peat soil, limited water supplies, difficult access, and strong winds have hindered their efforts, despite assistance from three firefighting helicopters. Indonesia's forestry ministry warns that dry weather and El Nino conditions will elevate the risk of fires during the peak dry season. The Indonesian BMKG weather agency anticipates that the 2026 dry season will be more intense and prolonged than usual, with a heightened risk of wildfires and drought due in part to El Nino. Despite weather-modification operations being considered an effective method for combating wildfires by inducing rainfall, they have been ruled out this year due to unfavorable weather conditions, leaving firefighters reliant on water bombing and ground teams. Authorities have reported wildfires in several of Indonesia's most fire-prone regions, including over 48,000 hectares of peatland ablaze across Sumatra and Borneo islands. The emergency has necessitated the deployment of over 107,000 firefighters and disaster personnel nationwide, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.