inp.polri.go.id - East Java. Forest and land fires on Mount Semeru, located in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) area in Lumajang Regency, East Java, were extinguished using water-bombing helicopters on Friday (8/28/2026).

"Today, a water-bombing helicopter is assisting in extinguishing forest fires on the slopes of Mount Semeru in areas inaccessible by land," said Isnugroho, Head of the Lumajang Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD).

He explained that the hotspots are located in Lake Ranu Kembang, Ledok Bedor, and Bukit Ayak-ayak, and have spread towards Ranu Kumbolo. Therefore, joint personnel are still struggling to extinguish the blazes that have broken out in several blocks within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS).

"Two helicopters belonging to the East Java BPBD were deployed to extinguish the forest fires by taking water for water-bombing in the Ranu Pani lake area. Hopefully, this will extinguish hotspots in difficult-to-reach areas," he said.

Meanwhile, Agus Kusuma Negara, Head of the National Park Management Section (PTN) Region III of the TNBTS, stated that the terrain poses one of the biggest challenges for firefighters extinguishing the forest fires on Mount Semeru. The burned area is located on a steep slope, making it difficult to access all points easily by land.

"Currently, as can be seen, the smoke is in the Ayak-ayak area. Landscape-wise, there are two hotspots: Ayak-ayak and Pangonan Cilik. These two are currently the focus of the firefighting effort," he said.

Joint officers are still monitoring and responding to several fires to prevent the fire from spreading further, as strong winds and steep terrain require vigilance and continuous monitoring.

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