Lumajang BPBD Rapid Response Team Tackles Forest Fire in Bromo Tourist Area
The Rapid Response Team of the Lumajang Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) is tackling forest and land fires in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS), specifically in the B29 peak tourist area in Argosari village, Lumajang Regency, East Java.
“The TRC squad on duty at the BPBD Lumajang Drought and Forest Fire Emergency Post moved to Argosari village on Saturday (8/8) to carry out further coordination and assist in handling the fire in the TNBTS area, namely towards the fire hotspots in the Sentigi Renteng and Ledok Bedor hills,” said Isnugroho, Chief Executive of BPBD Lumajang Regency, on Sunday.
According to him, the TRC had actually been monitoring and preparing measures in case the fire spread to Lumajang Regency since Thursday (6/8) as a precaution and to observe the development of the fire in the TNBTS area.
Isnugroho said the TRC team arrived at Ledok Bedor to extinguish the fire and monitor the situation on Saturday (8/8). After the field operation, personnel returned to the BPBD Lumajang office at around 4 p.m. local time as nightfall approached.
“We sent one squad to monitor and coordinate with relevant parties, including the local community, so that response measures can be taken immediately if the situation develops,” he said.
He explained that the field operation involved the TNBTS Ranupane Resort, BPBD Lumajang, the Argosari Babinsa (village military officer), Senduro Police, and Fire-Aware Communities from Ranupane and Argosari villages. Coordination was also carried out by the Senduro Sub-district Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimca).
“The joint team carried out manual firefighting by creating firebreaks and beating the flames with wet branches. To prevent the fire from spreading to other vegetation, trees along the alternative route were also cut down,” he said.
Isnugroho said the ground operation was reinforced with water bombing support. On Friday (7/8), two helicopters carried out water bombing by drawing water from Ranu Regulo, and similar efforts were repeated on Saturday (8/8).
Based on BPBD Lumajang’s assessment, the cause of the fire is still being identified by the relevant authorities. Meanwhile, the total area burned is still being assessed and calculated by TNBTS.
“We continue to coordinate with relevant parties to ensure integrated handling and that the situation can be monitored continuously,” he said.
Through the early deployment of the TRC, direct field operations, cross-agency coordination, and aerial firefighting support, the Lumajang Regency Government continues to strengthen efforts to control forest and land fires in the TNBTS area while prioritising the safety of the public and personnel.