Central Java Government Intensifies Efforts to Extinguish Forest Fires on Mount Lawu and Mount Sumbing

Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi said efforts to tackle the fire on Mount Lawu had been stepped up following the declaration of an emergency response status by the Karanganyar Regency Government.

“The regent has coordinated with us. The status has been raised to disaster emergency. There are also two military helicopters that will later be operated by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB),” Luthfi said in a written statement on Tuesday (20 October 2026).

Luthfi made the remarks after inspecting the operations of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative in Bergas, Semarang Regency, on Tuesday (20 October).

He said aerial firefighting, or water bombing, had been carried out in two sorties. The operation had been hampered by strong winds and weather conditions that made it difficult for helicopters to manoeuvre.

According to incident reports, the fire on Mount Lawu had affected around 230 hectares of forest in Gondosuli village, Tawangmangu district. Joint teams were also fighting the fire manually and creating firebreaks to prevent it from spreading.

Meanwhile, the fire on Mount Sumbing was in the area of Lamuk village, Kalikajar district, Wonosobo regency. The area burned was still being assessed. A total of 152 hikers had reportedly been evacuated from the area.

Luthfi said firefighting on Mount Sumbing was temporarily being conducted from the ground while authorities awaited aerial support, taking into account the fire’s development and conditions at the site.

In addition to intensifying firefighting, Luthfi asked the police to investigate the cause of the fires. He said he had coordinated with the Central Java Regional Police to determine whether they had been started deliberately.

“I have also coordinated with the Regional Police Chief and his staff to conduct an investigation. We must ensure there was no deliberate act,” Luthfi stressed.

Luthfi also urged the public to be more vigilant, particularly when visiting forests and mountainous areas. Open burning and carelessly discarding cigarette ends should be avoided because they could trigger fires.

“My hope is that I urge the public to maximise efforts to prevent fires,” he concluded.