The Ministry Of Environment And Forestry Calls The Mount Papandayan Fire Has Been Localized For Cehaj To Expand

The forest and land fires that occurred in the Gunung Papandayan area, Garut Regency, West Java. (ANTARA/HO-Ministry of Environment and Forestry)

The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) reported that forest and land fires (karhutla) in Gunung Papandayan, Garut, West Java (West Java), had been localized by the fire team so as not to spread to other areas.

"We sent some equipment and equipment to help extinguish the fire," said Director of Forest Fire Control and KLHK, Thomas Nifinluri, in his statement, Tuesday, October 24, which was confiscated by Antara.

The burned area entered the Tegal Alun Block in the Gunung Papandayan area, Cisurupan District, Garut Regency, entered the West Java BBKSDA area.

The burned area is often used for climbing tourism filled with grass, weeds, and dry Pteridophyta plants which make them very easily ignited by fire.

Strong winds made the flames spread and caused the fire to get out of control. In addition, the water source is also quite far away, preventing the fire from being extinguished quickly.

Thomas reminded that forest and land fires also have the potential to occur in other mountains in Indonesia. Climbers must be careful with fire and always pay attention to warnings and weather information provided by local agencies.

"As many as 99 percent of forest and land fires were caused by human factors. There were intentional and unintentional factors such as throwing cigarette butts, making outlines that were not guarded, and other factors," he said.

"Dried condition and wind during the dry season, if triggered by an unobserved fire, will have the potential to become forest and land fires," added Thomas.

The West Java Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) noted that the burned land area reached 100 hectares.

Head of BBKSDA West Java, Irawan Asaad, said that there were three things that were obstacles to extinguishing the fire, namely dry vegetation, wind, and locations that were difficult to reach.

Dry vegetation is prone to fire so that fires can easily spread. On the other hand, strong winds not only make it easier for the fire to spread, but also make the fire continue to burn so that the fire is increasingly difficult to extinguish.

Access to the location of the fire is quite difficult. Hillsy and steep areas limit the fire team's movement so they have difficulty dealing with fires to the maximum.

"The fire team can still ride motorbikes up to Post VII Papandayan, but they have to continue walking for an hour to get to the hotspots. This location makes it difficult to mobilize troops and fire extinguishers," said Irawan.

The forest and land fires forced the manager of the Mount Papandayan tourist area to limit tourist access to the Mount Papandayan tourist area. Restrictions on visitors are only up to Post III Gunung Papandayan to facilitate the blackout process.