- A fire in Indonesia's Mount Bromo National Park in East Java that burnt 550 hectares (1,360 acres) has been extinguished, according to an official on Monday, but there are new hotspots near the caldera.
- The fire, which started on August 3, had affected 550 hectares as of Sunday and had been fully extinguished, according to Gatot Soebroto, head of the local disaster mitigation agency.
- Gatot said authorities had found new fires in areas around the caldera covering some 20 hectares.
- Gatot warned that "The fire around the caldera is likely to spread further on Monday."
- More than 120 personnel, three water-bombing helicopters, drones, and some fire trucks have been deployed to put out the fires around the caldera.
- Authorities suspect the fire was caused by carelessness. Gatot said, "A person lit a fire, then put it out - but the fire was not fully extinguished," adding this conclusion was reached because the first flame was found along a route used by visitors.
- The Bromo fire comes as several other wildfires have been reported across Indonesia during an unusually dry season, including a forest and land fire in Central Java’s Banyumas Regency on Friday, triggered by land-clearing activities and spread rapidly due to dry conditions.
- In West Java, a fire broke out this week in the Suryakencana Meadow area of Mount Gede Pangrango National Park, a popular hiking destination, prompting authorities to temporarily close hiking trails to Mount Gede and Mount Pangrango.
A wildfire in Indonesia's Mount Bromo National Park that burned 550 hectares has been extinguished, but new hotspots have emerged near the caldera, covering 20 hectares.123
Gatot Soebroto, head of the local disaster mitigation agency, warned, "The fire around the caldera is likely to spread further on Monday."
Over 120 personnel, along with three water-bombing helicopters and drones, have been deployed to combat the new fires. The park has been closed since Saturday evening due to the ongoing threat.5
Authorities suspect the initial fire was caused by human carelessness, with Gatot stating, "A person lit a fire, then put it out - but the fire was not fully extinguished." This conclusion was drawn after the first flame was discovered along a route frequented by visitors.
The national park, known for its stunning caldera and as a popular tourist destination, spans over 50,000 hectares. The recent fires are part of a broader trend, as Indonesia faces an unusually dry season exacerbated by the El Nino weather pattern and seasonal winds from Australia, which have increased the risk of wildfires across the country.
Other regions, including Central Java and West Java, have also reported wildfires, prompting temporary closures of hiking trails in popular areas.1112
The situation remains critical as authorities continue to monitor and respond to the evolving fire threats.
“Authorities suspect a visitor's improperly extinguished fire caused the blaze, with the first flame found along a visitor route. More than 120 personnel, three water-bombing helicopters, drones, and fire trucks are deployed, while other wildfires in Central and West Java have forced trail closures.”
South China Morning Post
