Enviro News Asia, Probolinggo— Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, accompanied by Commander of the V/Brawijaya Military Command Major General TNI Rudy Saladin and East Java Deputy Governor Emil Elestianto Dardak, inspected firefighting operations at Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS), East Java, on Sunday.
The inspection was conducted to assess the effectiveness of fire control efforts and strengthen coordination among the Ministry of Forestry, the Indonesian Military, the East Java Provincial Government and other agencies involved in responding to the wildfire in the conservation area.
Minister Raja Juli Antoni ordered the temporary full closure of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park following the fire. The closure is intended to allow all personnel to focus on firefighting and prevent the emergence of new fire hotspots, while prioritizing public safety.
“The purpose is to ensure that everyone can focus on extinguishing the fire while anticipating the possibility of fires occurring in other locations,” Raja Juli said.
The minister emphasized that safety remains a primary consideration in responding to the wildfire, particularly to protect people from potential risks associated with the disaster.
Three helicopters have been deployed to support aerial firefighting operations through water bombing, particularly at fire hotspots located on steep terrain and in areas that are difficult for ground crews to access.
Ground personnel are simultaneously conducting direct firefighting operations and establishing firebreaks to contain the spread of the fire.
Raja Juli also said that weather modification operations could not be conducted over the next 10 days.
As of the morning of August 9, approximately 520 hectares of the TNBTS area were estimated to have been affected by the fire. The figure remains provisional and is being updated through field verification and continued monitoring.
East Java Deputy Governor Emil Elestianto Dardak said aerial firefighting efforts were being prioritized around the B29 peak area on the easternmost side of the affected zone. One of the main technical challenges, apart from weather conditions, is the availability of water for firefighting operations.
Some areas have already been extinguished and are being monitored by ground personnel, while teams have been deployed in western areas to anticipate potential fire spread.
To ensure coordinated operations, relevant agencies have established a TNBTS wildfire response task force and appointed an Incident Commander. Major General Rudy Saladin said the Incident Commander is responsible for coordinating all operational movements and requirements, both on the ground and in the air.
The task force involves the Ministry of Forestry, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), the East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian Military, the National Police and other relevant agencies.
According to the Fire Danger Rating System on August 9, several areas in East Java were categorized as having moderate to very high fire susceptibility. The conditions have prompted the Ministry of Forestry and other agencies to strengthen preparedness and wildfire control measures, particularly in areas with high fire risk.
The Ministry of Forestry and all relevant authorities will continue to monitor the situation and conduct integrated firefighting and fire prevention operations to control the wildfire and protect the conservation area. (*)
