Firefighting efforts continue at Mount Gede wildfire

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3 hours ago

Cianjur (ANTARA) – The Mount Gede-Pangrango National Park (TNGGP) Office said Friday firefighting efforts were continuing after a wildfire affected an estimated 5.8 hectares around Wadon Crater on Mount Gede.

Spokesperson Agus Deni said hundreds of personnel and volunteers from several regions were working to extinguish the fire, while a command and logistics post had been established.

The forest-fire control post is coordinating communication, data collection and operations involving joint personnel and residents living around the mountain’s foothills.

“Joint personnel and volunteers are still working to extinguish the fire. An additional 27 personnel have been deployed to strengthen firefighting and monitoring,” Deni said.

The park office estimated that 5.8 hectares had been affected, particularly around Wadon Crater. A new fire spot was detected but remained inaccessible because of difficult terrain.

The new hotspot was in a relatively isolated area, reducing the risk of the fire spreading, the park office said.

However, personnel and volunteers installed two-meter-wide firebreaks around the hotspot and affected areas to prevent further spread.

They also strengthened firefighting efforts through better coordination, additional personnel and daily logistical supplies for teams working in the field.

“Overall, monitoring has shown that conditions are improving. However, teams are conducting another sweep to ensure remaining hotspots are completely extinguished,” Deni said.

Previously, dozens of volunteers left the Wadon Crater area because they said they had not received support from the national park office.

The volunteers also criticized what they described as misinformation that had slowed efforts to contain the fire.