Bromo Fire Remains Two Fire Points, Water Bombing Still Discharged

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno said the government would still maintain the assistance of the National Disaster Management Agency or BNPB to carry out water bombing or extinguishing from the air. (IST)

JAKARTA - The fire in the Bromo area has not completely extinguished. From the 36 fire points at the previous peak condition, until Tuesday, August 11, there are still two fire points.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno said the government would still maintain the assistance of the National Disaster Management Agency or BNPB to carry out water bombing or extinguishing from the air.

"There were still two fire points. So we still maintain the assistance from BNPB for water bombing," said Pratikno when contacted via telephone, Tuesday, August 11.

Pratikno was in the Bromo area to attend a coordination meeting to accelerate the fire extinguishing. He left for Malang around 06.30 WIB, then headed to the location of the fire.

According to Pratikno, the government is also trying to prevent the fire from spreading to other areas. Coordination is carried out with the local government, TNI, Polri, and Pangdam to anticipate other areas that are prone to fire.

Pratikno said he went to the area near the fire point using a Hartop vehicle.

The government has also prepared a Weather Modification Operation or OMC. However, this step has not yet been carried out because there are not enough clouds available.

"The problem in Bromo, this OMC can't go because there are no clouds," he said.

Based on the forecast received by the government, the cloud conditions that allow OMC are expected to be available in about four days.

"We estimate that according to the forecast, there will be clouds for OMC in four days," said Pratikno.

According to Pratikno, the central government is currently also dealing with fires in a number of other areas. Therefore, local governments are asked to strengthen their fire management capabilities in their respective areas.

"We run OMC as long as there is sufficient cloud," he said.