Forest and Land Fires on Mount Arjuno-Welirang in East Java, Three Hotspots Detected

The Mount Arjuno-Welirang area has been reported to be affected by forest and land fires. The East Java Provincial Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has detected three hotspots within the Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park (Tahura).

Head of East Java BPBD Gatot Subroto explained that his team has detected three hotspots. However, the locations are in areas that are difficult for ground teams to reach. A water bombing scheme is being prepared.

“Based on aerial mapping, three hotspots have been detected,” he said when confirmed on Wednesday (19/8).

There is no information or data yet regarding the extent of the affected area. Nevertheless, aerial firefighting efforts are being prepared.

Water is planned to be sourced from a pond in the Kaliandra area and then transported by helicopter to the hotspot locations.

“We are working to secure a helicopter capable of carrying one tonne of water per trip,” he said.

While awaiting the helicopter’s arrival schedule, a joint team from East Java BPBD, regional BPBDs, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and the Indonesian National Police (Polri) is currently approaching the location to conduct mapping and firefighting operations.

As a result of the fire, hiking routes on Mount Arjuno-Welirang within the Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park area have been temporarily closed since Wednesday (19/8) until an unspecified time.

The closure is based on an announcement letter issued by the Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park Technical Implementation Unit Number 500.4.6.10/1276/123.7.2/2026.

Head of the East Java Provincial Forestry Service Jumadi, when confirmed, had not yet provided detailed explanation regarding the closure.

On Wednesday afternoon, Jumadi said he was at the Sumber Brantas Post and was dispatching a team to climb to the Lengkehan Valley of Mount Arjuno.

“I am currently at the Sumber Brantas Post and am dispatching a team to climb to the Lengkehan Valley,” said Jumadi.