Forest Fire on Mount Sempana Extinguished, 25 Hikers Evacuated

A joint team from the Ministry of Forestry, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, and the National Police has successfully extinguished a wildfire that struck the savanna forest area of Bukit Sempana, Sembalun Bumbung Village, Sembalun District, East Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara. In addition to putting out the fire, officers swiftly evacuated dozens of hikers who were trapped near the scene.

The fire, which affected a protected forest area under the authority of Forest Management Unit (KPH) Region II of West Nusa Tenggara Province, is estimated to have scorched 282 hectares of land. The dramatic firefighting operation was declared complete on Thursday (11/6/2026), following a strenuous battle against steep mountainous terrain and extreme weather conditions.

The blaze was first detected on Tuesday afternoon (9/6), originating from the Swela Pringabaya area before spreading extensively to Bukit Sempana. Initial containment efforts were hampered by limited logistics, darkness, and difficult access.

Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement Dwi Januanto Nugroho stated that the Manggala Agni firefighting brigade remains the front line in tackling such difficult situations. ‘Manggala Agni is the state’s spearhead. They work in heavy terrain to ensure the fire does not cause further damage,’ he said on Saturday (13/6).

Head of the Forest and Land Fire Control Unit for the Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara Region, Bambang Setyo Antoko, explained that the team’s primary focus was not only on breaking the fire’s advance but also on saving human lives. A total of 25 hikers were successfully evacuated from the hiking trails to prevent them from being trapped by smoke or unpredictable wind shifts.

‘We conducted sweeping and mopping-up operations to ensure no embers remained. At the same time, evacuating the hikers was a priority to prevent any casualties,’ Bambang clarified.

Authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the massive fire. However, initial field indications point to suspected illegal hunting activities in the protected forest area.

The Ministry of Forestry has urged the public and visitors to remain vigilant. The careful use of fire and early reporting through the Sipongi system are expected to help prevent similar incidents, given the Sembalun area’s vital ecological role in providing water resources and maintaining natural balance in West Nusa Tenggara.