Bromo Forest Fire Spreads to Probolinggo, Reaches 7.9 Hectares

Probolinggo, East Java (ANTARA) - The acting head of the Probolinggo Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Oemar Sjarief, said the forest and land fire on Mount Bromo has spread from Bantengan Block in Lumajang Regency to the Watu Gede area in Probolinggo Regency, covering 7.9 hectares.

“BPBD personnel from Probolinggo Regency are extinguishing the fire in the Mount Bromo area, from Bantengan Block to Pusung Jantur. The fire has entered the administrative area of Sariwani Village, Sukapura District, Probolinggo Regency,” he said when contacted by mobile phone in Probolinggo on Tuesday.

Personnel from the Probolinggo Regency BPBD Rapid Response Team, together with the East Java BPBD, Perhutani, the Indonesian National Armed Forces and National Police, the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) Authority, the East Java Disaster Management Agency and volunteers have joined forces to extinguish the wildfire in the Mount Bromo tourist area.

He said officers were fighting the fire with whatever equipment was available, namely using beaters and backpack sprayers, but they faced difficulties because the terrain was quite steep and the wind was blowing strongly.

“The joint team continues to monitor, creating firebreaks to stop the flames from spreading, and preparing equipment for fire prevention efforts in the TNBTS area so it does not expand further,” he said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire points heading towards Probolinggo had been extinguished, but officers remained on standby to anticipate the reappearance of fire points due to strong winds.

As a result of the fire, the TNBTS Authority has closed part of the Mount Bromo tourist access from the Jemplang and Coban Trisula entrances in Malang Regency, as well as Senduro in Lumajang Regency, to maximise firefighting efforts and ensure the safety of all visitors.

The three access points have been closed since Monday (3/8) at 22:00 Western Indonesia Time (WIB) until an undetermined date, but visitors can still reach Mount Bromo via the Cemoro Lawang entrance in Probolinggo Regency and Wonokitri in Pasuruan Regency.

Tourists may only access the Sea of Sand area and are not permitted to enter the savannah area, as it is dangerous due to the ongoing forest fire.