BNPB relies on Lake Ranu Pani water to fight Mount Bromo fire

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has stated that there is no other water source available to extinguish the fire at Mount Bromo, East Java, other than relying on supplies from Lake Ranu Pani. “The filling of water for the firefighting fleet (water bombing helicopters) is currently relying on supplies from Ranu Pani,” said BNPB Head Suharyanto in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday. According to him, Lake Ranu Pani is being utilised to its maximum capacity as a water source by the joint task force team, which has been conducting firefighting operations at Mount Bromo for 10 days. Water bombing using aircraft is also reported to be the mainstay because ground teams are unable to reach the main fire hotspots located on the slopes of Mount Bromo, which have a steep gradient of up to 80 degrees. “The ground firefighting team cannot reach the location for the safety of personnel in the field,” he said. Despite the various challenges on the ground, Suharyanto expressed optimism that with the existing mitigation schemes, including Weather Modification Operations (OMC), the land fires in the Mount Bromo TNBTS area could be brought under total control soon. He hopes that in the next few days, the operation can be carried out immediately so that the dry land can be thoroughly wetted and the fire does not easily reignite due to wind gusts. “Based on an explanation from the BMKG, there is potential for rain clouds on 14-16 August. If this potential is confirmed, BNPB will immediately conduct OMC so that rain can be optimally induced in the affected area,” he said.