JAKARTA: (Bernama) About 170 hikers who had been camping on Mount Semeru in Indonesia’s East Java province have been safely evacuated as firefighters continue battling a forest fire along the mountain’s hiking route.
Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) said all hikers had safely reached Ranupani, the main entry point for climbing Semeru, at about 2.30pm local time on Thursday (Aug 27).
"During the descent, the hikers were accompanied by registered Mount Semeru hiking guides and TNBTS officers stationed along the trail,” it said in its latest social media post.
The evacuated hikers had been camping at Ranu Kumbolo, the designated camping ground on Mount Semeru, according to Indonesia’s Antara news agency.
TNBTS said the fire was concentrated in the Pangonan Cilik area along the Mount Semeru hiking route, with personnel from several agencies continuing firefighting operations and constructing firebreaks to prevent the blaze from spreading despite strong winds and steep terrain.
The authority on Wednesday announced that the Mount Semeru hiking trail had been completely closed after the fire was detected near the route, with the closure to remain in place until further notice to facilitate firefighting operations and ensure visitors’ safety. - Bernama
