JAKARTA (Bernama): The Mount Bromo wildfire has spread across about 520 hectares after strong winds fanned the flames over the slopes and into the mountain’s savanna in East Java, authorities said on Sunday.
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) Authority head Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha said the affected area expanded after the fire flared up again on Saturday night, burning not only slopes but also the savanna.
"The fire grew larger due to fairly strong winds since yesterday afternoon, allowing it to spread rapidly from the upper slopes towards the lower areas,” he said, Antara News Agency reported.
Rudijanta said that with grass and other vegetation already dry, the area was more susceptible to burning.
The TNBTS Authority closed Mount Bromo to tourists at all entrances from 10pm on Saturday until further notice to facilitate firefighting efforts and ensure visitor safety. Affected visitors were offered the option to reschedule their bookings or receive refunds.
Meanwhile, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the investigation into the cause of the wildfire had been left to law enforcement authorities.
"Anyone who carries out forest and land burning will receive the appropriate punishment,” he said, according to Antara.
The TNBTS Authority said on Friday that the Mount Bromo fire was suspected to have been caused by human activity.
-- BERNAMA
