BNPB: Land fire flames in Probolinggo hills reignite

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has confirmed response measures after receiving reports that hotspots of forest and land fires in the hilly area of Probolinggo Regency, East Java, have been observed reigniting due to strong winds.

Abdul Muhari, Head of BNPB’s Disaster Data, Information and Communication Centre, said in Jakarta on Tuesday that weather dynamics and dry vegetation conditions were the main triggers for the reappearance of flames at the location.

“Gusts of wind carried embers that quickly ignited dry leaves, grass and litter around the hilly area,” he said.

Abdul explained that the fire initially swept through four hectares of forest belonging to state forestry firm Perum Perhutani in Sapikerep village, Sukapura district, since the early hours of Saturday (25/7).

“A joint team from the Probolinggo Regency Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) and the East Java Provincial BPBD has been deployed to the location to extinguish the fire by land route,” he said.

According to Abdul, access to the firefighting points is the main challenge for officers in the field, as they are located on high hills that are remote and difficult to reach by transport.

Therefore, BNPB has assured that it will continue to coordinate with regional officers to ensure that fire localisation and extinguishing efforts in Sukapura, Probolinggo, continue to run optimally so that the fire does not spread.