August 29, 2026 | 12:47 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Wildfires have spread across seven locations on Mount Semeru in East Java, Indonesia, prompting authorities to deploy ground crews and helicopters to contain the blaze in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS).
The fires have affected an estimated 160 hectares of the national park, according to preliminary data from TNBTS personnel. Dry vegetation has been among the materials burned in the fires.
“The fire hotspots are located in Ledok Bedor, Jantur Block, Ranukembang Block, the Ayak-Ayak area, Watu Rejeng, Ranu Kumbolo, and Trisula Peak,” said Yudhi Cahyono, head of the Emergency and Logistics Division at the Lumajang Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), on Saturday.
The fires are being tackled by personnel from the BPBD and TNBTS, along with volunteers and local residents, in forest areas near Argosari and Ranupani villages in Senduro District, Lumajang Regency.
Two helicopters provided by the East Java BPBD have also been deployed to conduct water bombing operations over fire hotspots that are difficult to reach by land.
“The helicopters have been deployed to strengthen firefighting efforts at several fire hotspots that are difficult to reach by land,” Yudhi said.
The Lumajang BPBD team has also sent two trail motorcycles toward the Ranu Kumbolo hiking trail to survey fire hotspots and monitor the movements of the PK-DAP helicopter during water bombing operations.
The two helicopters were directed to the Ayak-Ayak Block and Bangunan Cilik areas in Ranupani Village, Senduro District. Aerial firefighting operations were carried out alongside efforts by personnel on the ground.
Water bombing operations were temporarily suspended on Friday afternoon, August 28, because of strong winds. The East Java PK-DAP helicopter subsequently returned to Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport to remain on standby.
Firefighting in Difficult Terrain
Agus Kusuma Negara, head of Section III of the TNBTS National Park management office, said two areas had experienced extensive fires across several locations. He said the difficult terrain was among the factors behind the use of aerial firefighting support.
“One is in Ayak-Ayak, and the other is in Bangunan Cilik. The response efforts are being carried out collaboratively with water bombing assistance from the East Java BPBD,” he said.
Aerial firefighting operations are being used to support efforts on the ground, while personnel continue to tackle the fires manually. Their efforts include creating firebreaks and using available equipment to control fire hotspots that can be reached.
The combination of aerial and ground operations is needed because of the area's hilly terrain and the presence of fire hotspots in locations that are difficult to access. Helicopters are being used to help reach areas that cannot be easily accessed by firefighting crews on the ground.
Monitoring to Prevent Fires From Spreading
The firefighting operation involves TNBTS personnel, the Lumajang BPBD, volunteers and local residents, with additional support from the East Java BPBD through the deployment of water bombing helicopters.
Beyond extinguishing active flames, personnel are also monitoring areas that have already been treated to prevent the fires from reigniting.
Follow-up monitoring remains necessary as firefighting teams work to contain the blaze across the affected areas of Mount Semeru.
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