- Instagram: TNBTS
Malang – The Mount Bromo fire has spread to the border of Malang Regency, Pasuruan Regency, and Probolinggo Regency. The massive fire has been burning since Sunday.
Head of the Emergency and Logistics Division of BPBD Malang Regency, Sadono Irawan said that one of the reasons the fire quickly spread to other areas was because the wind in the Mount Bromo area is strong enough.
"In Bromo during the dry season, the wind is strong, therefore the wind is one of the factors for the fire to spread quickly. So, the fire is more uncontrollable," said Irawan on Tuesday.
This condition is getting out of control because of the tall shrubs on Mount Bromo. This is increasingly becoming fuel for the fire to continue to devour flammable objects in the Mount Bromo area.
"Then the shrubs in Bromo have not burned for a long time. Since (last) 2019, it means that the shrubs have a high level of dryness and are easily ignited by fire."
Petugas berusaha memadamkan kebakaran api di savana Gunung Bromo
- VIVA/Lucky Aditya
Meanwhile, the main obstacle experienced is the terrain leading to the hotspots. Fire hotspots located on the ridge of the hill make it difficult for joint officers to extinguish by land.
Even for fires that have been reached and extinguished. It is not uncommon for fires to reignite when strong winds hit the area.
"The main obstacle is the terrain because the hotspots are on the ridge of the hill. Then the wind also worsens the situation. If we have extinguished it, it means it is out. If it is dry and then there is wind, the fire will reignite," Irawan explained.
Previously reported, fires in the Mount Bromo area are increasingly widespread. Now, the hotspots that were originally only in the savanna, Teletubbies Hill, and Watangan Block extend to the border area of the three areas.
Meanwhile, Irawan said that the hotspots have reached Malang Regency. Even on the border of Malang, Pasuruan, and Probolinggo there are reported hotspots.
"It has reached Malang starting yesterday. The initial report was at 10 AM on Sunday. Almost all areas of Malang Regency, Pasuruan Regency, and Probolinggo Regency are affected by fires."
Irawan conveyed that in Malang Regency, the fires have reportedly reached two sub-districts in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (BB TNBTS) area. The two sub-districts are Jabung and Poncokusumo. Fire condition of Mount Bromo in Watangan Block.
"Today (hotspots) are already in Jemplang, then the TNBTS area in Jabung Taji. Namely in Pusung Samat to Puncak Kahyangan, this is the border area with Pasuruan. In Malang Regency, the fire has spread to two sub-districts in Jabung and Poncokusumo which are included in the TNBTS area," Irawan remarked.
As a planned step to control fires in the Mount Bromo area. After completely closing access to Mount Bromo tourism, all access to the National Park is also completely closed.
