Mount Tambora Fires Burn for 4 Days, Scorching 834 Hectares
Wildfires have once again struck the Tambora National Park (TNT) area in Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). Within four days, fires broke out in three separate locations, with the temporary affected area reaching between 734.82 and 834.82 hectares.
The fires swept through grasslands and hiking trails on Mount Tambora. This incident occurred just two days after the Tambora National Park Office held the ‘Tambora Jungle Run’ event.
The Head of the Tambora National Park Office, Abdul Azis Bakry, stated that the first fire was detected on Tuesday (1/9/2026) in the Kawinda Toi Resort area, SPTN Region I Kore. The fire persisted in that location for three days.
“The first incident was observed in the Kawinda Toi Resort, SPTN Region I Kore, from 1-3 September 2026, covering the Kawinda Toi hiking trail from Post 5 to Post 6 and Doro Onta. The temporary affected area is estimated to be approximately 400-500 hectares,” said Abdul Azis in a statement on Saturday (5/9/2026).
Seven officers conducted a thorough field inspection. During a ground check at Grid 733, officers still found embers on pine tree trunks, which were immediately extinguished.
“The cause of the fire is still being investigated, with initial suspicions relating to illegal hunting activities of Timor Deer,” he noted.
Abdul continued, on 3 September 2026, a fire spot was also discovered in Kadondo, SPTN Region I Kore, with a total affected area of about 2.32 hectares. Fourteen officers were deployed to extinguish the flames. In this location, the fire was suspected to have spread from the burning of local agricultural land.
“The preliminary suspicion is that the fire spread from community land-clearing activities,” he said.
Abdul revealed that another fire occurred yesterday, Friday (4/9/2026), on the Walet Timur Oi Hodo trail, SPTN Region II Pekat. In this location, 332.50 hectares of land were consumed by the flames.
Once again, the Tambora National Park Office suspects the fire was caused by the spread of flames from agricultural land burning by residents. Fortunately, the fire was successfully extinguished after 16 personnel from a joint team—including park staff, partners, and students—were deployed.
“Overall, the temporary total area affected by these three incidents is estimated to reach 734.82-834.82 hectares. This figure is still preliminary and will be further verified through field measurement and mapping,” he explained.
Abdul emphasised that the Tambora National Park Office staff will continue to strengthen patrols, early hotspot detection, mopping-up operations, monitoring of burnt areas, and investigations into the causes of the fires, particularly those linked to human activity.
The Tambora National Park Office has called on the public to avoid any activities that could trigger fires and to work together to protect the area from the threat of forest and land fires.
“Our entire team continues to work to protect the Tambora forest and the surrounding communities. The fire may be extinguished in hours or days, but the impact on the ecosystem can last much longer. We must not sacrifice the forest, which is a source of life for many, for the sake of short-term interests,” he said.