Bromo Wildfire Consumes 50 Hectares of Land in Mount Batok, Disaster Agency Reckons

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) estimates wildfire has consumed 50 hectares of land in the Mount Batok area at Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS). Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center, Abdul Muhari, said the fire spread quickly in the dry land, exacerbated by the prolonged dry season.

"The authorities are still investigating the exact cause of this fire, whether it was natural or manmade," he said in a written statement on Monday, June 24, 2024.

Based on the Pasuruan disaster agency (BPBD Pasuruan) report, Muhari said, the fire occurred on Tuesday afternoon, June 18, hitting several parts of Mororejo, Podokoyo, and Kandangsari villages. "Today (June 24), joint team patrols to monitor the fire and ensure that no new spots emerged," he said.

The joint team continues extinguishing efforts using fire swatters and jetshooters. There have been no reports of casualties due to the fire thus far. "Efforts to evacuate and protect surrounding residents have been carried out," said Muhari.

From the latest monitoring by the BPBD team, plumes of smoke are still visible on the west side of Mount Batok, but the fire is starting to get manageable. The Sipongi website—an information system for early detection of wildfires—no longer detects hot spots in the Mount Batok area. According to Muhari, this indicated that the fire was beginning to subside.

"The location has clear weather at the moment, supporting extinguishing and monitoring efforts," he said.

The BNPB team urged the public and visitors of Mount Batok to up vigilance and avoid activities that could prompt more fire, including burning waste.

IRSYAN HASYIM

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