Enviro News Asia, Probolinggo – Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry has intensified integrated firefighting operations to contain an ongoing wildfire in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS), East Java, as authorities work to prevent further damage to one of the country’s most important conservation areas.
As of 6:00 p.m. WIB on August 5, the fire in the Watu Gede Block had not been fully extinguished. Manggala Agni, Indonesia’s forest and land fire brigade, together with joint emergency response teams, continues to suppress the fire and prevent it from spreading across the protected landscape.
The wildfire has affected savanna grasslands, mountain pine forests, ferns, and shrub vegetation. Fire suppression efforts have been challenged by steep terrain, rugged hillsides, highly flammable vegetation, and limited water availability. Water is being transported in stages using tanker trucks to locations accessible by ground personnel.
The fire was initially detected through the Ministry of Forestry’s SiPongi+ Forest and Land Fire Monitoring System, which processes hotspot data collected from multiple satellite platforms, including NASA’s MODIS system. On August 4, SiPongi+ identified a hotspot with medium confidence. The alert was immediately verified through ground inspections, allowing firefighting teams to respond quickly and localize the fire before it spread further.
The integrated response is being coordinated by the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Authority (BBTNBTS), supported by Manggala Agni units from Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Probolinggo Regency, community fire awareness groups, and volunteers.
As the park management authority, BBTNBTS is responsible for securing the conservation area, mapping affected locations, regulating access to fire zones, protecting biodiversity, and coordinating emergency operations within the national park. Meanwhile, Manggala Agni leads technical firefighting operations to suppress active fire fronts and prevent further expansion.
Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement Dwi Januanto Nugroho emphasized that fires in protected areas threaten not only forests but also communities that depend on the ecological services provided by the national park.
“Bromo is not merely a tourist destination. It is a vital conservation area that supports local livelihoods and provides habitat for diverse plant and wildlife species. The fire must be contained immediately, its cause must be investigated, and the affected ecosystem must be restored. Public participation is equally important through responsible activities around the park and the prompt reporting of any signs of wildfire,” he said.
To ensure visitor safety and facilitate firefighting operations, the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Authority has temporarily closed tourism access through the Jemplang and Coban Trisula entrances in Malang Regency and the Senduro entrance in Lumajang Regency since 10:00 p.m. WIB on August 3 until further notice.
Access through Cemoro Lawang in Probolinggo Regency and Wonokitri in Pasuruan Regency remains partially open only to the Sea of Sand area, while the Savanna area has been closed to all visitors.
Head of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Authority Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha said visitor safety remains the highest priority while authorities continue efforts to protect unaffected areas of the park.
“The temporary closure of several access points allows firefighting operations to proceed safely and efficiently while protecting visitors from potential hazards. Once the situation is fully under control, we will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impacts to support ecosystem restoration efforts,” he said.
Head of the Forest Fire Control Center for Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara Bambang Setyo Antoko said firefighting teams continue adjusting operational strategies as conditions evolve on the ground.
“The fire remains active, and field conditions continue to change. Our personnel are focusing on sectors with the highest risk of fire spread while maintaining the safety of all responders involved in the operation,” he said.
The Ministry of Forestry stated that protecting conservation areas from wildfires remains a key priority under the leadership of Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni. The ministry will continue strengthening early warning systems through SiPongi+, field patrols, operational readiness, integrated emergency response, fire cause investigations, and collaboration with government agencies, local communities, and other stakeholders to ensure that wildfire risks are detected early, controlled rapidly, and prevented from causing broader ecological damage. (*)
