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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Disasters & Emergencies

Wildfires Rage Across Seven Locations on Mount Semeru, East Java

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

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  • Wildfires have erupted across seven locations on Mount Semeru in East Java, Indonesia, impacting approximately 160 hectares of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.
  • Ground crews, helicopters conducting water bombing, and volunteers are engaged in efforts to control the blaze, which is exacerbated by dry vegetation and difficult terrain.
  • Firefighting operations have faced challenges, including strong winds that temporarily halted aerial support, but a combination of ground and air tactics is being employed to prevent the fires from spreading.

Mount Semeru in East Java, Indonesia, is currently battling wildfires that have spread across seven distinct locations within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS). Preliminary data indicates that around 160 hectares of the park's vegetation have been consumed by the flames. The affected areas include Ledok Bedor, Jantur Block, Ranukembang Block, the Ayak-Ayak area, Watu Rejeng, Ranu Kumbolo, and Trisula Peak.

The fire hotspots are located in Ledok Bedor, Jantur Block, Ranukembang Block, the Ayak-Ayak area, Watu Rejeng, Ranu Kumbolo, and Trisula Peak.

— Yudhi CahyonoHead of the Emergency and Logistics Division at the Lumajang Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), detailing the locations of the fires.

Authorities have mobilized significant resources to combat the blaze. Personnel from the Lumajang Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and TNBTS, alongside volunteers and local residents, are on the ground. To support these efforts, two helicopters provided by the East Java BPBD are conducting water bombing operations, targeting hotspots that are inaccessible by land. These aerial missions are crucial given the park's hilly and challenging terrain.

Firefighting has not been without its difficulties. Strong winds on Friday afternoon forced a temporary suspension of water bombing, with one helicopter returning to base to await better conditions. However, the combined approach of aerial support and ground operations, which includes creating firebreaks and manual suppression, is deemed necessary due to the rugged landscape. The focus remains on monitoring the fire's movement and preventing further spread.

The helicopters have been deployed to strengthen firefighting efforts at several fire hotspots that are difficult to reach by land.

— Yudhi CahyonoExplaining the role of aerial support in the firefighting operation.

The TNBTS National Park management office has identified two areas, Ayak-Ayak and Bangunan Cilik, as experiencing particularly extensive fires. The collaborative response, utilizing water bombing assistance, highlights the severity of the situation. Efforts are ongoing to manage the hotspots effectively, balancing the need for immediate containment with the logistical challenges posed by the mountainous environment.

One is in Ayak-Ayak, and the other is in Bangunan Cilik. The response efforts are being carried out collaboratively with water bombing assistance from the East Java BPBD.

— Agus Kusuma NegaraHead of Section III of the TNBTS National Park management office, describing the areas with extensive fires and the collaborative response.
About this summary

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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