Prabowo orders focus on Way Kambas fires; elephants confirmed safe

President Prabowo Subianto has directed that the handling of forest and land fires in Way Kambas National Park, Lampung, be a primary focus. He emphasized the park's significance as a habitat for Sumatran elephants, noting reports of hotspots and existing fires covering several hectares. "I also ask for attention for Lampung. Lampung has Way Kambas National Park, that is also our focus. I received a report that there are hotspots there, and there has been a fire of several hectares," Prabowo stated during a meeting on fire management in Riau.

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I also ask for attention for Lampung. Lampung has Way Kambas National Park, that is also our focus. I received a report that there are hotspots there, and there has been a fire of several hectares.

Prabowo underscored the importance of Way Kambas National Park, describing it as a vital conservation area for elephants. "And that is our conservation park for, for elephants and so on. The last elephants in Sumatra must be cared for there," he added, highlighting the need to protect the remaining Sumatran elephant population.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry has confirmed that the fires in the Kuala Penet resort area of Way Kambas National Park, East Lampung Regency, were successfully extinguished on Saturday evening. According to Ristianto Pribad, Head of Public Relations and International Cooperation Bureau, monitoring by the Way Kambas National Park Center indicated that wild elephant herds were located in the northern part of the park, far from the fire's origin. Elephants at the Elephant Conservation Center were also unaffected.

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And that is our conservation park for, for elephants and so on. The last elephants in Sumatra must be cared for there.

"Based on monitoring by the Way Kambas National Park Center, the wild elephant herds are in the northern part of the national park, far from the fire location. Meanwhile, the elephants at the Elephant Conservation Center are also in unaffected areas," Pribad stated. He assured that elephants, both wild and those in conservation, are safe and not directly impacted. Joint personnel, numbering around 250, including those from the National Park, police, military, local government, and community partners, were involved in the firefighting efforts. Post-extinguishment, continuous monitoring and cooling operations are underway to prevent any resurgence of fires, especially given the nature of peatland.

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Based on monitoring by the Way Kambas National Park Center, the wild elephant herds are in the northern part of the national park, far from the fire location. Meanwhile, the elephants at the Elephant Conservation Center are also in unaffected areas.

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of managing forest and land fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The prompt response and coordinated efforts involving multiple agencies were crucial in containing the blaze and ensuring the safety of the park's wildlife, particularly the endangered Sumatran elephants.

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The fire in the Kuala Penet Resort area, Way Kambas National Park, East Lampung Regency, was successfully extinguished on Saturday (22/8) around 7:00 PM Western Indonesian Time.