Mount Rinjani’s forest fire contained after 30 hectares burned: Govt

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3 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry said on Saturday (August 8) it had contained a forest fire in the Sembalun Resort area of Mount Rinjani National Park in West Nusa Tenggara Province.

Mount Rinjani National Park Chief Budhy Kurniawan said the fire was contained at about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday, with inspections finding no active hotspots.

“Containing forest fires requires a rapid response and joint effort. We appreciate everyone’s support,” Budhy said, adding that monitoring and mop-up operations would continue.

Residents first reported the fire at about 4:48 p.m. on Friday (August 7). Sembalun Resort officers and forestry students inspected the area and found three active fire spots in Maletan.

The team then prepared firefighting equipment, with about 22 personnel from the park, forest ranger partners, residents, students, police, military personnel and East Lombok firefighters joining the response.

Personnel safety remained the top priority. As conditions and fire behavior remained dynamic, the team returned to its post at 7 p.m. under safety procedures.

Initial observations estimated the affected area at about 30 hectares, although officials said the figure was still being verified. Burned vegetation mainly consisted of shrubs and vines.

Fire conditions were monitored by drone. On Friday night, East Lombok firefighters, Sembalun police, and military personnel reinforced the response using a fire truck.

The operation resumed at about 12:15 a.m. on Saturday. A joint team led by the East Lombok police chief and park officials moved to Dalem Petung, with 35 personnel involved.

The team included park officers, East Lombok police, Sembalun police, the Mataram forest-fire control office, and forestry students. At about 1:30 a.m., the fire was contained.

Teams found no active hotspots and conducted mop-up operations to extinguish materials that could reignite. Budhy thanked police, disaster officials, firefighters, students and residents for their support.

The park authority said monitoring would continue to ensure all hotspots and embers were extinguished, while maintaining occupational safety throughout the response.

The Forestry Ministry urged communities around Mount Rinjani National Park to remain vigilant and immediately report signs of fire or activities that could trigger one.