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Mount Rinjani Forest Fire Spreads Across 723.7 Hectares

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Mount Rinjani Forest Fire Spreads Across 723.7 Hectares
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Mount Rinjani Forest Fire Spreads Across 723.7 Hectares

Reporter

September 26, 2026 | 09:47 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Forest fires affecting Setampol Hill in the Torean Resort area along the Mount Rinjani hiking trail in North Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), have spread to 723.7 hectares.

Sadimin, Head of the NTB Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), acknowledged that the fire, which first broke out on Tuesday, September 22, at approximately 18:50 Central Indonesian Time (WITA), has not yet been fully extinguished. The fire has affected around 723.7 hectares.

“Currently, the fire is still burning the vegetation. Of the total 723.7 hectares affected, the fire has been extinguished on 74.161 hectares,” he said in a statement in Mataram on Saturday, as quoted by ANTARA.

He said the joint team is continuing its efforts to extinguish the fire on the ground. However, the fire has not yet been fully extinguished because the operation is facing significant challenges.

“So, in addition to strong winds causing the fire to spread rapidly, the terrain at the scene is also steep and difficult for the joint personnel to access,” said Sadimin.

To manage the situation, the NTB BPBD continues to coordinate with the North Lombok Regency BPBD and the Mount Rinjani National Park Agency (TNGR). At least eight elements of joint personnel have been deployed to extinguish the fire, including teams from TNGR, Manggala Agni, the military (TNI), the police (Polri), forest rangers, the Fire Brigade Community (MPA), and porters.

“Meanwhile, the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation,” he said.

According to him, the BPBD has issued an advisory urging the public to help prevent forest fires, especially during the dry season. Residents are asked to refrain from clearing land by burning, avoid carelessly discarding cigarette butts, and ensure that fires are completely extinguished after any activity.

“The public is also urged to immediately report any hotspots they discover to village officials, firefighters, the BPBD, or relevant agencies,” he said.

Read: Fire Breaks Out on Mount Rinjani’s Torean Hiking Trail

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