Tambora National Park Savanna Fire Expands, Firefighting Efforts Continue

The Ministry of Forestry is continuing intensive efforts to control a land fire that has affected around 1,956 hectares of savanna in Mount Tambora National Park. The savanna fire not only threatens wildlife habitats and the high-value conservation area but also has the potential to disrupt air quality and nature tourism activities that underpin the local economy. Firefighting operations are being carried out in an integrated manner by the Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara Forest Fire Control Centre, the Directorate General of Forestry Law Enforcement, the Tambora National Park Office, and the Fire Care Community (MPA). Mount Tambora National Park is a 71,645.64-hectare conservation area designated by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. The area provides critical habitat for protected species such as the Yellow-crested Cockatoo, Red-headed Parrot, Rainbow Bee-eater, and Timor Deer. Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement Dwi Januanto Nugroho stressed that forest and land fires are a matter of public interest. “When forests burn, surrounding communities are the first to feel the impact, from air quality to economic activity. Fire control requires collaboration from all parties so that prevention becomes a shared culture,” he stated on Friday. He added that any proven legal violations causing the fire will be dealt with firmly in accordance with prevailing laws. The fire was first detected on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. local time in the Piong Resort and spread rapidly due to a combination of natural factors. In response, the Ministry deployed a Manggala Agni team from Section III Mataram to reinforce personnel in Bima Regency. The synergy between park officials, Manggala Agni, and the Fire Care Community is key to accelerating the field response to protect areas that can still be saved. Head of the Jabalnusra Forest Fire Control Centre, Bambang Setyo Antoko, explained that firefighting strategies are continuously adapted to the characteristics of Tambora’s terrain. “The nature of the savanna causes the fire to spread quickly. We are focusing on suppressing the rate of spread while prioritising personnel safety and protecting the core zone,” he explained. Meanwhile, Head of Tambora National Park, Abdul Azis Bakry, confirmed that protection efforts will continue through to the recovery phase. “Once the fire is under control, we will carry out gradual area restoration, strengthen patrols, and enhance early detection by involving the community so that Tambora’s ecological function is maintained in the long term,” he concluded.