Bromo Forest Fire Extinguished, Basic Infrastructure Rehabilitation Underway

The forest and land fire (karhutla) in the Gunung Bromo area, located in Probolinggo Regency, East Java, has been reported as extinguished. The East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) is now preparing to carry out basic infrastructure rehabilitation. “Today (12/8) we received a report that it has been extinguished, but the joint task force remains on full alert,” said Head of BPBD East Java, Adhy Karyono, in Surabaya on Wednesday (12/8). Based on field reports, the fire hotspot in the P30 area, Sumber District, Probolinggo, is no longer visible, and other hotspots have also practically died out. He stated that the steep terrain was one of the main obstacles in the firefighting process, as the fire location was on a cliff area making it difficult for ground crews to reach. Adhy said BPBD Jatim is ready to rehabilitate basic infrastructure, particularly replacing damaged water pipe networks that were burned. “If not replaced immediately, the community could experience a clean water crisis. Furthermore, 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 yield significant results,” he stressed. On that occasion, the official expressed optimism that the handling of the Bromo fire this time would be faster and more effective than a similar incident in 2023. “The difference from 2023 is that the helicopter is now on standby and refueling in Pasuruan, making operations much more effective. The East Java Provincial Government has also added to the helicopter fleet. Two small helicopters are assigned to standby with a refueling point at Ranu Pane. This way, water refilling can continue without long pauses, unless hindered by thick fog,” said Adhy. As of 11 August 2026, the total burned area in Bromo is estimated to have reached 899.38 hectares. The affected vegetation is dominated by mountain pine, mentigen, acacia, and shrubs. The joint team, he said, continues to intensify ground handling in the Pusung Duwur and Dingklik areas using the ‘gepyok’ technique and tanker trucks. Wetting efforts are also being optimised at points accessible to officers. To accelerate aerial handling, Adhy said three helicopters were deployed for water bombing operations in the Pusung Duwur, Bromo area. 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 underlined 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.