Way Kambas Fire Response Focuses on Wildlife Protection

RRI.CO.ID, East Lampung - The safety of Sumatran elephants and other wildlife was a priority during the response to a forest fire at the Kuala Penet Resort in Way Kambas National Park, East Lampung Regency.

According to the Ministry of Forestry’s official website, wild elephant herds and elephants housed at the Elephant Conservation Center were located far from the fire and were not directly affected.

The fire began on Friday afternoon, August 21, 2026, and was extinguished by Saturday evening, August 22, 2026. The affected area is estimated at 673 hectares, though this figure remains provisional pending field verification.

The Way Kambas National Park Authority confirmed that wild elephant herds were in the northern part of the park, far from the fire zone.

Elephants at the Elephant Conservation Center were also in an unaffected area. As a result, both wild and captive elephants have been confirmed safe. Personnel continue to monitor wildlife movements and habitat conditions to ensure ongoing protection.

Approximately 250 personnel from various agencies joined the firefighting effort, including the Way Kambas National Park Authority, the military, the police, the East Lampung Regency Administration, conservation partners, forest farmer groups, cooperatives, and the Fire-Aware Community.

Peatland terrain made extinguishing the fire challenging, with difficult access and water sources located far from the affected area. Some locations had to be reached on foot.

After the fire was brought under control, the joint team conducted cooling and monitoring operations to ensure no hotspots reignited. This was an essential step, given peatland’s tendency to retain underground embers.

The Way Kambas National Park Authority plans to intensify patrols and strengthen security measures across the area. These efforts aim not only to prevent forest and land fires but also to anticipate poaching, encroachment, and other illegal activities that threaten wildlife habitats.

The Ministry of Forestry expressed appreciation to all personnel, conservation partners, and community members involved in the fire response. The government also urged the public to avoid burning activities near forest areas and to immediately report any signs of smoke or hotspots.

These measures are expected to help prevent future fires and ensure continued protection for Sumatran elephants and other wildlife in Way Kambas National Park. ***