Forest and Land Fire in Mount Rinjani's Sembalun Resort Successfully Controlled
The Ministry of Forestry, through the Mount Rinjani National Park Office (TNGR) and related parties, has successfully controlled a forest and land fire (karhutla) that struck the Sembalun Resort area in Mount Rinjani National Park, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB).
Head of the Mount Rinjani National Park Office, Budhy Kurniawan, stated that the fire was brought under control on Saturday (8/8) at approximately 01.30 WITA. After an inspection of the handling area found no active hotspots, officers immediately began a mopping-up process to sift through remaining material with the potential to reignite.
“Handling forest and land fires requires a rapid response and collective effort. We appreciate the support of all parties who moved together in the field. After the fire was successfully controlled, monitoring and mopping up are still being carried out to ensure no embers or hotspots reignite,” Budhy said in an official statement received in Jakarta on Saturday.
The fire was first reported by the public on Friday (7/8) at around 16.48 WITA. Following up on the report, Sembalun Resort officers together with SKMA internship students conducted a field check and found three active hotspots in the Maletan area.
Initial extinguishing efforts involved around 22 combined personnel from TNGR officers, Forest Police Partner Communities, local residents, SKMA internship students, Sembalun Police, Sembalun Military Command, and the East Lombok Regency Fire Department.
However, due to dynamic field conditions and to ensure personnel safety and health, the team decided to return to the post at 19.00 WITA in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure for firefighter safety.
Based on initial observations, the area affected by the fire is estimated to have reached 30 hectares. However, the exact figure is still in the process of further confirmation. The burned vegetation was reported to be dominated by shrubs, bushes, and lianas.
Monitoring of the fire’s development was carried out intensively using drones. On Friday night, a fleet of fire engines from East Lombok Regency along with TNI-Polri elements reinforced efforts to localise the fire.
Follow-up operations resumed on Saturday (8/8) at 00.15 WITA. The joint team, led by the East Lombok Police Chief together with the Head of SPTN Region II, deployed 35 personnel to the fire location in Dalem Petung. This team consisted of TNGR Office officers, East Lombok Police, Sembalun Police, the Mataram Section III Forest and Land Fire Control Office, and SKMA internship students.
The team’s hard work paid off at 01.30 WITA when the fire was declared under control. Budhy Kurniawan expressed deep appreciation for the synergy of all parties, including the East Lombok Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and other community elements who were actively involved.
The Ministry of Forestry urges communities around the Mount Rinjani National Park area to remain vigilant. Residents are asked to report immediately if they find indications of fire or suspicious activities that could potentially trigger new hotspots.