Forest Fire Scorches 2.3 Hectares in Ponorogo, Suspected Arson

A fire has swept through a forest area owned by Perhutani in Petak 62 RPH Gangsiran, BKPH Sampung, KPH Madiun, Sampung District, Ponorogo Regency, East Java. The incident is suspected to have been triggered by an unknown person.

The Head of Emergency and Logistics for the East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Satriyo Nurseno, stated that the incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon, 21 July.

“Based on information from the Ponorogo Regency BPBD agent and operations control centre, the forest fire in Petak 62b occurred on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, at 15.15 WIB,” Satriyo said on Wednesday (22/7).

Satriyo explained that the flames burned dry leaves, twigs, and other vegetation within the forest area. “The vegetation burned consisted of leaf litter and undergrowth, with the affected area covering approximately 2.3 hectares,” he said.

A joint task force that received the report immediately proceeded to the location and worked to extinguish the fire burning the forest area. The affected land is estimated to have reached 2.3 hectares. “The latest condition is that the fire was successfully extinguished on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, at 18.20 WIB,” he stated.

Satriyo confirmed there were no casualties in the incident. He said the fire is suspected to have been triggered by the actions of a person passing through the forest area. “It is likely set by a passer-by,” he said.