Two Helicopters Deployed to Extinguish 80-Hectare Bromo Fire

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) will deploy two water-bombing helicopters and a fleet of drones to extinguish forest and land fires in the Mount Bromo area of East Java, which have spread to 80 hectares.

This aerial firefighting measure was taken because the extreme ground terrain is difficult for the joint personnel in the field to reach.

The fire, which began in the Bantengan Block, Senduro District, Lumajang Regency on Monday afternoon (3/8), has now spread to the Watu Gede area, Probolinggo Regency, on Wednesday (5/8).

Head of BNPB Lieutenant General TNI Suharyanto stated that aerial operations are targeted to be operational by Thursday (6/8) at the latest.

“For now, we will support with two [helicopter] units,” said Suharyanto in Malang City on Wednesday (5/8).

However, he said, the type of helicopter fleet to be deployed is still being adjusted based on unit availability, given that forest and land fire suppression operations are also running simultaneously in six other provinces.

“There are several types, it could be the Mi type or the Sikorsky, we will see what is available later, because BNPB is also carrying out forest and land fire suppression operations in six provinces, namely South Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan,” he said.

Suharyanto explained that the deployment of the two helicopters is accompanied by a field assessment. He stated that, based on the 2023 Bromo fire incident, two water-bombing helicopters were deemed sufficient and effective.

On the other hand, Suharyanto said that weather modification operations cannot be executed in the coming days due to natural factors.

“We have also coordinated with BMKG regarding the possibility of weather modification operations, but as of this afternoon there is still no growth of rain clouds, so weather modification operations cannot be carried out for the next few days,” he said.

To optimise handling at vulnerable points, the joint team is combining firefighting helicopters with unmanned aerial vehicle technology, or water spray drones with a capacity of 150 litres.

Head of the East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Gatot Soebroto said that these drone units are specifically used to spray remaining hidden embers in locations that are difficult to reach.

“As additional information, the Head of BNPB just visited the fire location this afternoon. And with his support and also the full support of the governor, in addition to helicopters, we are also using drones to help extinguish the fire,” said Gatot.