Way Kambas National Park forest fire still raging, 673.4 hectares burned

Forest and land fires are still affecting the Way Kambas National Park (TNWK) area in East Lampung Regency, Lampung, where as of Saturday afternoon the flames were still burning and spreading to several areas within the conservation zone.

East Lampung Police Chief AKBP Yulianayah, when contacted in South Lampung on Saturday, said the fire occurred at the Jati 3 site, Kuala Penet Resort, SPTN Region III Kuala Penet, TNWK, Braja Selebah District.

“The fire is still burning and spreading from its initial position at the Jati 3 site towards Rawa Mbah Sapon, Grid 7S,” he said.

According to him, officers are still facing difficulties in extinguishing the fire because the flames are quite large and high, while wind conditions at the location are also strong.

“Extinguishing efforts are currently being carried out manually. The fire still cannot be put out,” he said.

Based on preliminary reports, the area of TNWK affected by the fire is estimated to have reached 673.4 hectares.

Joint officers are still carrying out extinguishing and control efforts to prevent the flames from spreading further to other conservation areas.

“We are still waiting for developments in the field,” he said.

The extinguishing process involves 14 forestry police personnel and Forestry Police Partner Community members, 10 personnel from Braja Selebah Police Station, and five military personnel from Way Jepara Military Command.

Officers are using a number of pieces of equipment, including manual Alpa spray tanks and wooden beaters to control the flames.

Meanwhile, Head of the Way Kambas National Park Office MHD Zaidi explained that the extinguishing is being carried out jointly by park office officers with the involvement of military and police elements and volunteers.

According to him, the extinguishing process is facing a number of obstacles, one of which is the condition of access to the location that is difficult for vehicles to pass through.

“It is still in the process of data collection. There are indeed several obstacles, including access that is difficult for vehicles to pass through,” he said.

Entering this year’s dry season, the potential for forest and land fires in the conservation area needs to be watched out for because drying vegetation conditions can accelerate the spread of fire.