Bromo Forest Fire Extinguished, Basic Infrastructure Rehabilitation Underway
The forest and land fire (karhutla) in the Mount Bromo area, located in Probolinggo Regency, East Java, has been reported extinguished. The East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) is now preparing to rehabilitate basic infrastructure.
“Today (12/8) we received a report that the fire is out, but the joint task force remains on full alert,” said Head of East Java BPBD Adhy Karyono in Surabaya on Wednesday (12/8).
According to field reports, the fire hotspot in the P30 area, Sumber District, Probolinggo Regency, Bromo, is no longer visible, and other hotspots have also effectively been extinguished.
He said the steep terrain was one of the main obstacles during the firefighting operation. The hotspot locations were on cliff areas, making them difficult for ground crews to reach. Adhy said East Java BPBD is ready to carry out rehabilitation of basic infrastructure, particularly the replacement of water pipeline networks damaged by the fire.
“If they are not replaced immediately, the community could face a clean water crisis. In addition, we must consider the recovery of the local economy, such as Jeep service providers, hotels, homestays, and culinary MSMEs that have been affected. Optimal cooperation between ground teams and aerial firefighting must produce significant results,” he stressed.
On the occasion, Regional Secretary Adhy expressed optimism that the handling of the Bromo forest fire this time would proceed more quickly and effectively than the similar incident in 2023.
“The difference from 2023 is that the helicopter is currently on standby and refuelling in Pasuruan, making its operations far more effective. The East Java Provincial Government has also added to its helicopter fleet. Two small helicopters have been assigned to standby with a refuelling point at Ranu Pane. This way, water refilling can continue without long pauses, unless hindered by thick fog,” Adhy said.
As of 11 August 2026, the total area burned in Bromo is estimated to have reached 899.38 hectares. The affected vegetation is dominated by mountain pine, mentigen, acacia, and shrubs.
The joint task force, he said, continues to intensify ground operations in the Pusung Duwur and Dingklik areas using the gepyok technique and tanker truck fleets. Wetting efforts are also being optimised at points accessible to personnel.
To accelerate aerial operations, Adhy said three helicopters have been deployed for water bombing operations in the Pusung Duwur area of Bromo. The fleet consists of two BNPB helicopters (PK-DAN and PK-DBM) and one helicopter belonging to the East Java Provincial Government (PK-DAP). To date, a total of 15 water bombing sorties with a capacity of 36,000 litres have been dropped to suppress the flames.
Adhy underscored the importance of anticipating the subsequent impact on the community, especially if the emergency response misses its target. “What we are thinking about now is the community after this, including tourism,” he said.