East Java BPBD prepares water bombing to extinguish Arjuno-Welirang forest fires

The East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) is preparing a water bombing scheme to help extinguish forest and land fires on the slopes of Mount Arjuno and Mount Welirang.

Head of East Java BPBD Gatot Soebroto said in Sidoarjo on Thursday that the water bombing operation would be carried out, but patrols over Mount Arjuno and Mount Welirang were hampered by weather conditions and had to wait at Kaliandra Field.

“It is hoped that the weather will be supportive and the firefighting can be carried out because the nearest water collection point is at the Kaliandra swimming pool,” he said.

He said the fire hotspots are currently located in the Mount Kembar 2 area and are still being monitored around Lengkean or Lapangan Kotak.

“The joint team is carrying out firefighting efforts via land routes using the gepyok method,” he said.

“Currently, the PK-DAP helicopter is on standby at Kaliandra Resort Field,” he said.

He explained that the East Java Provincial BPBD and Pasuruan Regency BPBD have set up command post tents at Kaliandra Resort Field.

“East Java BPBD continues to coordinate with Pasuruan Regency BPBD and Tahura R. Soerjo to accelerate fire handling,” he said.

Previously, on Wednesday (19 August), forest and land fires occurred in the Mount Arjuno-Mount Welirang area, Pasuruan Regency.