Lumajang, E Java (ANTARA) – Ground and aerial operations are being deployed to quickly extinguish forest and land fires in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) area of East Java, the Lumajang Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) said.
“Joint teams have prepared several measures tailored to the terrain and fire conditions, ranging from manual ground suppression to aerial operations using drones and water-bombing helicopters,” Lumajang BPBD Executive Head Isnugroho said in Lumajang, East Java, on Sunday.
He said firefighting operations in Argosari Village, Senduro Subdistrict, Lumajang, face several challenges, including distant water sources, difficult terrain leading to the fire, dry vegetation, and shifting wind directions. These factors must be calculated in every containment effort.
“Ground operations include creating firebreaks and beating out flames using wet leafy branches. Firefighters are also felling trees along alternative routes to prevent the fire from spreading to other vegetation,” Isnugroho said.
Aerial operations have been carried out through water-bombing efforts. On Friday (August 7), two helicopters conducted water drops using water sourced from Lake Ranu Regulo, with similar efforts continuing on Saturday (August 8) to quickly suppress the blaze.
Isnugroho said monitoring remained ongoing as fire conditions could change depending on wind direction and the condition of local vegetation.
Response efforts are also being carried out collaboratively with other parties, including the Fire-Aware Community (MPA) groups from Ranupane and Argosari villages.
Ministry of Environment, alongside the East Java Provincial BPBD, as well as the Malang and Probolinggo District BPBDs, has provided support by deploying water tankers, which have been positioned around the savanna area.
“According to the Lumajang BPBD’s assessment, authorities are still identifying the cause of the fire. Meanwhile, the total burned area is currently being surveyed and calculated by TNBTS,” Isnugroho said.
The Lumajang BPBD urges residents, visitors, and tourism operators to comply with the national park’s closure regulations and refrain from any activities that could spark fires.
The public is also asked to immediately report any hotspots or potential fires to ensure a swift response from authorities.
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Translator: Zumrotun Solichah, Raka Adji
Editor: Bayu Prasetyo
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