Forestry Ministry successfully controls forest fires in Sembalun, Mount Rinjani
The Ministry of Forestry, via the Mount Rinjani National Park (TNGR) Office and related parties, has successfully controlled a forest and land fire (karhutla) in the Sembalun Resort area of Mount Rinjani National Park, West Nusa Tenggara. In a statement received in Jakarta on Saturday, TNGR Head Budhy Kurniawan said that by approximately 01:30 WITA on Saturday (8/8), the fire had been brought under control, with inspections in the handling area finding no active hotspots, after which officers carried out mopping-up operations to extinguish remaining material that could potentially reignite.
“Handling forest and land fires requires a rapid response and joint effort. We appreciate the support of all parties who worked together in the field. After the fire was controlled, monitoring and mopping-up continued to ensure no embers or hotspots reignite,” Budhy said. He explained that the fire was first reported by the public on Friday (7/8) at around 16:48 WITA. Following the report, Sembalun Resort officers and SKMA vocational students immediately conducted a field check and found three active hotspots in the Maletan area.
The team then consolidated and prepared control and extinguishing equipment. In the initial response, around 22 personnel consisting of TNGR officers, Forest Police Partner Communities, local residents, SKMA vocational students, Sembalun Police, Sembalun Military Command, and the East Lombok Regency Fire Service were involved in the extinguishing effort. The top priority in every firefighting operation is personnel safety and health. Because field conditions and fire behaviour remained quite dynamic, the team decided to return to their post at 19:00 WITA in accordance with firefighter safety standard operating procedures.
Fire development monitoring was then carried out using a drone. On Friday night, the firefighting effort was reinforced by the East Lombok Regency Fire Service, Sembalun Police, and Sembalun Military Command using fire engines. Handling resumed on Saturday (8/8) at around 00:15 WITA. A joint team led by the East Lombok Police Chief together with the Head of SPTN Region II moved to the fire location in Dalem Petung. A total of 35 personnel were involved in the follow-up operation, comprising TNGR Office officers, East Lombok Police, Sembalun Police, the Mataram Section III Forest and Land Fire Control Office, and SKMA vocational students.
By approximately 01:30 WITA, the fire had been successfully controlled. The team also conducted inspections in the handling area and found no active hotspots. Officers then carried out mopping-up and extinguishing of remaining material that could potentially reignite. Budhy Kurniawan expressed appreciation for the support and synergy of all parties involved, including the East Lombok Police, Sembalun Police, East Lombok Regional Disaster Management Agency, Mataram Section III Forest and Land Fire Control Office, SKMA vocational students, the community, and other elements. The TNGR Office confirmed that field monitoring will continue to ensure all hotspots and embers are completely extinguished. All handling activities continue to prioritise the occupational safety and health of all personnel. The Ministry of Forestry also urged communities around the Mount Rinjani National Park area to increase vigilance and immediately report any indications of fire or activities that could potentially cause fires.