East Java Government Deploys Additional Helicopter to Combat Bromo Forest Fires

The East Java Provincial Government (Pemprov Jatim) has added one water bombing helicopter to accelerate the handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) in the Mount Bromo area, which have been ongoing for eight days.

East Java Regional Secretary Adhy Karyono said in Surabaya on Monday that the additional aircraft complements two helicopters belonging to the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) that had previously been deployed to support firefighting operations from the air.

“Pemprov Jatim has added one Airbus helicopter so that water bombing operations can proceed more quickly,” he said.

According to Adhy, two Airbus helicopters are now stationed in the Ranu Pani area so that the refuelling process is more efficient compared to having to return to Abdulrachman Saleh Air Force Base.

The move is expected to increase the intensity of water drops while reducing operational constraints caused by weather.

In addition to air operations, Pemprov Jatim is also strengthening ground firefighting by deploying fire engines from several regions, including Surabaya, Probolinggo, and Pasuruan.

Wetting of the area continues even when no flames are visible to prevent the emergence of new hotspots.

Meanwhile, Head of the East Java Culture and Tourism Office Evy Afianasari assessed that the Bromo fire serves as an important evaluation to strengthen early-stage handling so that the fire does not spread, especially during strong wind conditions.

She added that the impact of the fire on the tourism sector is still being assessed because the main focus at present is firefighting. Tourists are also advised to postpone visits to Bromo while all tourist access remains closed for safety reasons.

Pemprov Jatim will also propose strengthening prevention measures, including tightening the ban on bringing cigarettes and e-cigarettes into fire-prone natural tourism areas.