Indonesia has stepped up efforts to contain a growing number of wildfires across the country, deploying helicopters, hundreds of firefighters and disaster response personnel as fires spread through East Java’s popular Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park and peatlands on Sumatra amid an unusually dry season.
The largest blaze is burning in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, where around 743 hectares (1,836 acres) have been scorched, according to East Java authorities.
Indonesia’s Forestry Ministry said Sunday that dry weather and strengthening El Nino conditions have increased the risk of forest and land fires during the peak dry season.
The fire has destroyed extensive areas of dry grassland and vegetation, including protected edelweiss flowers, and spread toward Penanjakan, a popular viewpoint for visitors to Mount Bromo, one of Indonesia’s major tourist attractions. No injuries or evacuations have been reported.
Hundreds of firefighters, soldiers, police, park rangers and volunteers are working to contain the blaze. Authorities have closed the national park to visitors until further notice.
At least three helicopters were deployed Monday to conduct water-bombing operations over hotspots inaccessible by ground crews. Firefighters are also carrying out manual suppression, cooling operations, patrols and building firebreaks to stop the flames from spreading.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, who visited the park Sunday, said authorities were coordinating efforts to tackle and prevent forest and land fires. He urged people to avoid activities that could trigger new fires, including throwing away cigarette butts and burning land for clearance.
The Bromo fire is among several wildfires reported across Indonesia during the current dry spell.
More than 50 hectares (124 acres) of peatland have burned in Jambi province on Sumatra, causing thick haze and concerns over deteriorating air quality. The largest fire, in Sungai Gelam village in Muaro Jambi district, has destroyed dozens of hectares of local residents’ oil palm plantations and has been burning since Wednesday.
Around 300 firefighters and disaster personnel have been deployed there. Deep peat, limited water supplies, difficult terrain and strong winds have hampered firefighting efforts, despite three helicopters conducting aerial operations.
Indonesia’s Meteorological, Climatological and Geophysical Agency said August and September are expected to be the most critical months, as dry vegetation and strong winds could help fires spread rapidly.
Wildfires frequently occur on Sumatra and Borneo during dry periods. Many are illegally started by plantation owners or traditional farmers to clear land for cultivation, with the resulting fires periodically causing hazardous haze across parts of Southeast Asia.