Forest and Land Fire on Mount Lawu Grows, Advancing Towards Hargo Dalem Summit

The forest and land fire on the slopes of Mount Lawu is still burning. The blaze in Gondosuli village, Tawangmangu sub-district, Karanganyar, has reportedly grown and is moving towards Ngargoyoso sub-district and the Hargo Dalem summit.

“[The fire] has reached Hargo Puruso, almost at the summit, nearly reaching Hargo Dalem. Hargo Puruso was already on fire yesterday, but I have not received an update today,” Tawangmangu sub-district head Eko Joko Widodo said on Wednesday (21 October), as quoted by detikJateng.

Separately, Sugiharjo, acting head of the Karanganyar Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), said the Hargo Puruso area had been burning since Tuesday (20 October).

“It had reached Hargo Puruso yesterday. Today the fire has spread downhill; yes, [the highest point reached] was Hargo Puruso yesterday,” Sugiharjo said.

Meanwhile, information gathered by reporters indicated that a thin layer of ash from the fire on Lawu’s slopes had reached plantations and residents’ homes, particularly in Tawangmangu and Ngargoyoso.

“That may be the case, because the wind is blowing north. It is possible, but I have not received a report,” Sugiharjo said when asked whether ash had reached residential areas.

Efforts to extinguish the fire are continuing, particularly through water bombing. Sugiharjo said 12 water-bombing sorties were planned for the day, with six completed by midday.

“The weather up there is still unfavourable, with wind and fog,” he said.

Joint teams are also continuing to fight the fire manually and establish firebreaks. In Ngargoyoso, teams are safeguarding residents’ water-pipeline routes.

“Today, residents from Cetho went up to secure the pipelines. The fire had not reached them; yesterday it came within five metres and was then extinguished. The team continues to ensure the fire does not reach residents’ pipeline routes,” Sugiharjo said.

Earlier reports said the fire on Mount Lawu’s slopes had grown and spread, with the area of burned forest and land rising sharply. The flames were also said to be getting closer to residents’ water sources.

To prevent the fire from reaching pipelines, tourist attractions and settlements, a new post was opened at Cetho Temple. The Cetho post was due to begin operations on Wednesday (21 October).

Its operations will focus on checking the condition of water-source pipelines, securing pipeline routes and placement points, and documenting facilities and conditions on the ground.

The fire on Lawu’s slopes was first detected last Thursday (15 October), starting in forest compartments 28, 32 and 62c in Gondosuli village.