Tambora National Park Savanna Fire Caused by Illegal Poachers

A savanna fire that burned 1,956 hectares in Tambora National Park, West Nusa Tenggara, was triggered by illegal poachers operating within the protected area. The fire occurred on 9 July 2026. The Tambora National Park Office has identified suspected perpetrators responsible for the 11-day blaze and is currently monitoring the hunters’ activities. “The suspected cause is activity believed to have been carried out by deer hunters near the fire’s origin. The fire was 100 per cent caused by human actions,” said Abdul Aziz Bakri, Head of the Tambora National Park Office. According to Abdul Aziz, the activities of deer and wild honey hunters were the primary cause of the fire. The office also suspects involvement by tourist guides. Abdul Aziz expressed regret over the hunters’ behaviour, noting that no savanna fires had occurred in the park during the 2024 to 2025 period. “The last fire occurred in 2023; for two years there were none. However, in 2026 a fire broke out and many plants had died, becoming highly flammable material,” he explained. He added that dry grassland conditions caused the fire to spread rapidly and made it difficult to extinguish, a situation worsened by inadequate firefighting equipment. The park office will take firm action against hunters who persist in illegal activities within the area. Two deer hunters have already been arrested and sentenced to four years and six months in prison. “We are not playing games if we catch them. Currently, two hunters are serving prison sentences in Dompu for deer poaching. But we continue to raise awareness about prohibited activities within the park,” he stated. “After this fire, we will not remain silent. We will continue patrolling to prevent further illegal actions by humans within the national park area,” he added. Tambora National Park is a 71,645.64-hectare conservation area designated by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. It serves as a habitat for various wildlife, including the yellow-crested cockatoo, red-headed lorikeet, rainbow bee-eater, and Timor deer.