Joint Task Force on Full Alert at Mount Bromo's Bantengan Block to Prevent Forest Fires Spreading

A joint task force is on full alert in the Bantengan Block, part of the Mount Bromo area in Probolinggo Regency, to anticipate the spread of forest and land fires. Firefighting and containment efforts are ongoing in the conservation area.

The Head of the East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Gatot Subroto, confirmed that the joint team has been at the location since information about the fire in the Bantengan Block was received. This measure was taken to ensure the fire does not spread to other areas within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS).

“This is to anticipate the fire that occurred in the Bantengan Block so that it does not spread further,” Gatot stated in Surabaya on Tuesday (4/8).

Based on reports from TNBTS officials, several hotspots are still being monitored in the field. A joint task force comprising the Probolinggo Regency BPBD, East Java BPBD, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), volunteers, and local residents has been deployed to these hotspots.

All handling efforts are being coordinated by the TNBTS Centre. The team on the ground is conducting intensive monitoring, creating firebreaks, and preparing firefighting equipment to slow the spread of the flames.

In addition to focusing on the Bantengan Block, personnel have also been deployed to Bukit Sariwani in Sariwani Village, Sukapura District. This deployment is a precautionary measure in case the flames move towards residential areas or other parts of Probolinggo Regency.

Gatot added that the success of the firefighting operation depends heavily on weather conditions. Extremely high temperatures and strong winds could accelerate the expansion of the fire.

“We hope this fire does not spread further and can be extinguished soon by officers in the field,” he added.

As a mitigation measure and to ensure tourist safety, the TNBTS Centre has decided to temporarily close some access points to the Mount Bromo tourist area.