BNPB Targets Bromo Wildfire Extinguished Within Three Days

RRI.CO.ID, Probolinggo - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has ordered faster efforts to contain forest and land fires in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) area in East Java, targeting all hotspots to be extinguished within three days. BNPB Head Suharyanto issued the instruction during a coordination meeting in Probolinggo on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.

He stressed the need for adequate equipment to improve the effectiveness and safety of joint firefighting teams operating in difficult terrain. BNPB asked all available disaster response equipment stored at BPBD warehouses to be immediately deployed, including personal protective equipment (PPE), portable pumps, and other supporting tools.

“We must move away from traditional methods such as using fire beaters. We fully support the ground forces from the TNI and joint teams with modern equipment, PPE, and portable pumps so that firefighting operations can be carried out efficiently and safely,” Suharyanto said, quoted from official statement.

Limited water sources remain a major challenge. BNPB plans to place six-ton flexible water tanks at several points along main ground routes, which will be refilled by water-bombing helicopters. BNPB has also deployed three helicopters for aerial firefighting. Water bombing is being prioritized because the steep terrain, with slopes reaching around 80 degrees, makes ground access difficult.

Weather Modification Operations (OMC) have not yet been carried out because there is insufficient rain cloud formation around the TNBTS area. “We will take advantage of the clear weather and optimize aerial firefighting through water bombing until the afternoon. We have set a target that, by Friday at the latest, all fire hotspots must be extinguished so that the aerial firefighting fleet can be allocated to support disaster response in other vulnerable areas,” Suharyanto said.

BNPB also urged regional governments and fire response teams in East Java to remain alert to the risk of fires spreading to nearby mountain areas, including Mount Arjuno. Local governments were asked to ensure sufficient water supplies by mapping new drilled wells, filling community water storage ponds, and preparing water tanker fleets.

As of Tuesday, August 11, around 889 hectares of land in TNBTS had burned, affecting mountain cypress, mentigi, acacia, and shrubs. BNPB, regional governments, the TNI, Polri, TNBTS authorities, and other agencies will continue firefighting operations until all hotspots are under control. The public is also urged to avoid activities that could trigger fires in areas with dry vegetation.