Aman Rochman The Jakarta Post 3 Sep 18;
The management of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) in East Java is investigating the cause of a wildfire that burned at least 65 hectares of the park's savannah and vegetation on Saturday.
The fire had been extinguished by Sunday afternoon, but local residents said on Monday morning that fire had again broke out in the area.
TNBTS head John Kennedie said the park was continuing with its investigation.
“The cause of the fire is still under investigation,” he said on Monday. “It is estimated that the fire burned 65 hectares [of savannah],” he added.
The fire, which burned through the Pentongan Block of the Laut Pasir (Sand Sea) Tengger Resort, reportedly broke out around 9:45 a.m. local time on Saturday.
Initially, the park deployed 15 personnel to put out the fire. The team was later joined by officers of Malang regency's Poncokusumo Police and 83 local residents.
But the fire continued to spread, said John, and that around 320 people from the area joined the firefighting effort.
John said that the park management temporarily closed on Saturday the Jemplang entrance on its Malang side. The entrance was reopened after the area was deemed safe for visitors.
“We reopened the [Jemplang] entrance on Sunday afternoon. Tourism activities are normal,” he said.
By Sunday evening, most of the fire had been extinguished except for several hot spots on Mount Watangan. (sau)
