Weather Modification Operations Become BNPB's Mainstay to Extinguish Mount Bromo Forest Fires
The government, through the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), has prepared a Weather Modification Operation (OMC) as an additional measure to accelerate the handling of forest and land fires (karhutla) occurring in the Mount Bromo area, East Java. The effort is being carried out by inducing artificial rain to support aerial firefighting operations currently being prepared.
Head of BNPB Suharyanto stated that the OMC scenario will be executed simultaneously with the deployment of helicopters for water bombing operations. The implementation of the weather engineering will be adjusted according to the development of weather conditions and the needs at the fire location. The combination of these two methods is expected to accelerate the extinguishing process, especially at fire spots that are difficult for ground personnel to reach.
BNPB explained that the aerial firefighting operation is designed to reinforce the joint task force teams that have been conducting suppression efforts via land routes. This step is considered crucial given the geographical conditions of the Mount Bromo area, which features caldera slopes with steep cliffs, making it difficult for ground personnel to reach all fire locations. Through the support of water bombing helicopters and weather modification operations, the government hopes that isolated fire spots can be quickly extinguished, preventing the fires from spreading to other conservation forest areas around Mount Bromo.
Suharyanto emphasised that the integration of aerial and ground firefighting operations is part of the emergency response strategy prepared by the government to deal with forest fires in the region. The handling of the forest and land fires at Mount Bromo is based on the declaration of a Drought and Forest and Land Fire Emergency Alert Status by the East Java Provincial Government. This status was established through East Java Governor Decree Number 100.3.3.1/327/013/2026 and is valid for 180 days, from 26 May to 6 October 2026. The existence of the emergency alert status serves as the basis for the central government to accelerate the distribution of disaster management assistance, including the support of helicopter fleets and weather modification technology.