The forest and land fire (karhutla) hitting the Mount Cendono area in Mojokerto Regency, East Java, has not yet been fully brought under control. Efforts by joint teams to tame the flames are facing major obstacles as the fire points are located on very steep and hard-to-reach slopes.
To anticipate safety risks, a joint team from BPBD, Perhutani, TNI, Polri, the Forest Fire Care Community (MPA), and volunteers are implementing a gradual firefighting strategy. Extreme geographical access and the lack of water supply at the fire site are forcing officers to work extra hard to minimize the spread of the impact.
Conditions on the ground are increasingly challenging due to strong mountain winds triggering the fire to spread quickly to drying vegetation. Currently, officers are relying on manual equipment to create firebreaks around the affected area to prevent the fire from spreading to safe protected forest zones.
The local government urges the public and hikers not to engage in activities that trigger fires, such as burning trash or leaving campfire embers behind. In line with BMKG warnings regarding the high potential for forest and land fires during the dry season, mutual vigilance and rapid reporting of fire spots are key to preventing a wider disaster.
