Efforts to handle forest and land fires (karhutla) on the slopes of Mount Welirang, Mojokerto Regency, are continuously being carried out by joint personnel. Since smoke was spotted billowing from the Mount Biru range on Wednesday (15/7/2026), the plumes indicate that there are several active hotspots in the mountainous area.
Extinguishing efforts and reaching the hotspots face serious obstacles due to the extremely steep and rugged terrain. To facilitate coordination and monitoring, officers have established an emergency monitoring post in the Cendono area, which serves as one of the main access points to the fire location.
Head of the Samapta Unit of Mojokerto Police, AKP Joedjono Wihandoko, explained that the mapping and data collection process of the affected area is still ongoing. His team cannot yet confirm the total burned area or the exact cause of the fire because physical access to the hotspots remains difficult to reach.
As a swift response, the Mojokerto Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) has deployed ten personnel from the Quick Response Unit (URC) since Tuesday (14/7/2026) night. This team is tasked with conducting initial assessments and monitoring the movement of hotspots to prevent them from spreading to the surrounding forest area.
Meanwhile, security around the location has been tightened with support from the Mojokerto Police Samapta Unit and the Pacet Police. The authorities have also urged hikers, tourists, and local residents to stay away from the slopes of Mount Welirang and immediately report if they detect any suspicious activities or new hotspots.
