Probolinggo Regency Strengthens Mitigation to Prevent Recurring Bromo Forest Fires
The Probolinggo Regency Government is strengthening mitigation so that forest and land fires in the Mount Bromo area do not recur, as the cause of the fires is suspected to be human activity.
“The Bromo forest and land fires are a problem that has the potential to recur, so they require handling that is not only emergency in nature but also comprehensive and sustainable,” said Probolinggo Regent Mohammad Haris in his statement on Wednesday.
He stressed the importance of strengthening mitigation and preventive measures so that the risk of forest and land fires can be reduced in the future, and the Probolinggo Regency Government expressed its gratitude to all parties who have provided support and cooperation in handling the forest and land fires in the Bromo area.
“The fire is a recurring problem, so it requires comprehensive and sustainable handling,” he said.
“We are also strengthening education for the community and implementing an early warning system to prevent the recurrence of forest and land fires in Bromo,” he added.
According to him, efforts to prevent fires in the Mount Bromo area are not enough if they only target tourists; communities living around the conservation area, including the Tengger community, also need continuous education.
“Community involvement is an important part of preserving the Bromo area, especially when hot and dry weather conditions accompanied by strong winds make the potential for fires even higher,” he said.
The government also plans to carry out Weather Modification Operations. The operation is being carried out by the National Disaster Management Agency in coordination with the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency as an effort to help wet the affected areas so that the extinguishing process is more effective while preventing the fire from spreading to other areas.
Previously, a forest and land fire case on Mount Bromo caused by a flare occurred on 6 September 2023 at Teletubbies Hill (Watangan Valley Savanna) due to an unauthorised pre-wedding photo activity that used a flare, causing 989 hectares of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park area to burn, and the case has been processed legally.