inp.polri.go.id - Lumajang. The Lumajang Sub-regional Police Department deployed personnel to assist in extinguishing forest and land fires on Mount Semeru, located within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS), Lumajang Regency, East Java.
"Using manual equipment, Lumajang Sub-regional Police personnel, along with joint officers, are conducting firefighting and manually extinguishing the fires, given the steep terrain and steep cliffs," said Lumajang Sub-regional Police Chief, Superintendent Riki Yariandi, in a statement on Friday (8/28/2026).
He added that Lumajang Police personnel, along with the Senduro Sector Police, the Senduro Military District Command, the Lumajang Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), TNBTS, the Fire Awareness Community (MPA), volunteers, and the residents of Ranupani and Argosari Villages, are continuing to block and extinguish hotspots.
He explained that there are two forest and land fire locations that officers are focusing on: the Ranu Kembang area on Mount Semeru, specifically in the Ayek-Ayek Block, and the Ledok Bedor area, located on the border of Argosari and Ranupani Villages.
"In the Ledok Bedor area, fires are seen in three locations. These locations are in the direction of Jantur towards the B-29 area. The fires in two locations are still burning and have not been extinguished. Joint firefighting efforts are ongoing," he said.
The firefighting process is being carried out manually, with officers building barriers to impede the fire's movement and using tree trunks or branches to beat back flames that are burning vegetation.
"The difficult terrain is one of the main obstacles. The Ranu Kembang area is difficult to reach, and the fire continues to grow, making it difficult for officers to reach the fire," he said.
Meanwhile, in Ledok Bedor, officers face steep terrain and equipment, which is still a challenge. Winds are also present, and the fire is divided into three locations, requiring officers to wait for one fire to be extinguished before proceeding to the next.
Amidst the forest and land fire response, 172 climbers who were previously in the Ranu Kumbolo area have been successfully evacuated, and all are reported safe.
"A total of 172 climbers from Ranu Kumbolo have been successfully evacuated safely. The hiking trail is currently declared completely closed," he said.
He stated that given the terrain and the extent of the fires, ground firefighting requires additional support. One option is aerial firefighting using helicopters.
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