JAKARTA, Aug 10: Indonesia has stepped up firefighting operations across several regions as wildfires spread during an unusually dry season, with authorities deploying helicopters and hundreds of emergency personnel to contain major blazes in East Java and Sumatra.
The most extensive fire is burning inside Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java, where around 743 hectares of land have been affected, according to provincial authorities.
The Forestry Ministry said dry conditions and strengthening El Nino influences have increased the likelihood of forest and land fires during the current peak of the dry season.
The Mount Bromo blaze has damaged dry grassland, vegetation and protected edelweiss flowers, while flames have reached the Penanjakan area, a popular viewpoint overlooking the volcanic landscape.
No injuries or evacuations have been reported so far. However, officials have temporarily shut the national park to tourists as firefighting operations continue.
Helicopters deployed over difficult terrain
Hundreds of firefighters, soldiers, police personnel, park officials and volunteers have been involved in efforts to contain the flames.
Three helicopters have been deployed for aerial water-bombing missions over hotspots that are difficult for ground teams to access. Crews on the ground are conducting cooling operations, monitoring fire lines, carrying out patrols and creating firebreaks to slow the advance of the blaze.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, who visited the affected area on Sunday, said authorities were continuing to coordinate measures to control forest and land fires.
He also appealed to residents and visitors to avoid activities that could trigger new fires, including throwing away cigarette ends and using fire to clear land.
Peatland blaze raises haze concerns in Sumatra
The fire emergency extends beyond East Java, with another significant blaze burning peatlands in Jambi province on Sumatra.
More than 50 hectares have been affected in the Muaro Jambi district, with smoke causing haze in some areas and prompting concerns over deteriorating air quality.
The largest affected zone has been reported around Sungai Gelam, where dozens of hectares of oil palm plantations belonging to local residents have been damaged. The fire has been burning since Wednesday.
Around 300 firefighters and disaster-response personnel have been deployed to tackle the Sumatra blaze. Deep peat layers, scarce water sources, difficult terrain and strong winds have made containment efforts particularly challenging.
Three helicopters are also supporting aerial firefighting operations in the region.
August and September seen as critical period
Indonesia’s Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency has warned that August and September could be the most challenging months for wildfire management.
Dry vegetation combined with strong winds can allow flames to spread quickly, increasing the risk of larger outbreaks.
Forest and land fires are a recurring problem on Sumatra and Borneo during prolonged dry periods. Some fires are deliberately started to clear land for agriculture or plantations, despite restrictions on burning.
Large-scale fires can also generate thick smoke that travels across borders, creating hazardous haze and worsening air quality in parts of Southeast Asia.
Authorities are now focusing on containing existing fires while preventing new outbreaks as the country moves through the most vulnerable phase of the dry season.