673.4 Hectares of Way Kambas National Park Still Ablaze

A forest and land fire continues to ravage the Way Kambas National Park area in East Lampung Regency, Lampung, as of Saturday afternoon. The flames are still burning and spreading to several areas within the conservation zone.

East Lampung Police Chief AKBP Yulianayah said the fire occurred at the Jati 3 location, Kuala Penet Resort, SPTN Region III Kuala Penet, Way Kambas National Park, Braja Selebah District. "The fire is still burning and spreading from its initial position at Jati 3 towards Rawa Mbah Sapon, Grid 7S," he said.

According to him, officers are still facing difficulties in extinguishing the fire because the blaze is quite large and high. Meanwhile, wind conditions at the location are also strong.

In addition, the extinguishing process is also hampered by limited equipment and terrain conditions. The fire location cannot be reached by vehicles, making it difficult to mobilise personnel and firefighting equipment.

"Extinguishing efforts are currently being carried out manually. The fire still cannot be put out," he said.

Based on preliminary reports, the area of Way Kambas National Park affected by the fire is estimated to have reached 673.4 hectares. Joint officers are still carrying out extinguishing and control efforts to prevent the flames from spreading further to other conservation areas.

The East Lampung Police Chief said a complete report on the development of the fire is still awaiting the results of monitoring and handling by officers in the field. "We are still waiting for developments in the field," he said.

The extinguishing process involves 14 Forestry Police personnel and Forestry Police Partner Community members, 10 personnel from Braja Selebah Police Station, and five TNI personnel from Way Jepara Military Command. Officers are using a number of pieces of equipment, including manual Alpa spray tanks and wooden beaters to control the flames.

Meanwhile, Head of the Way Kambas National Park Office MHD Zaidi explained that extinguishing is being carried out jointly by office officers involving TNI-Polri elements and volunteers. "Currently the joint team from the office assisted by TNI-Polri and volunteers is still carrying out extinguishing efforts," he said.

According to him, the extinguishing process faces a number of obstacles, one of which is the condition of access to the location which is difficult for vehicles to pass. "It is still in the process of data collection. There are indeed several obstacles, including access that is difficult for vehicles to pass," he said.

Entering this year’s dry season, the potential for forest and land fires in the conservation area needs to be watched out for because dry vegetation conditions can accelerate the spread of fire.