El Nino Phenomenon Triggers Rising Air Temperatures, Central Java Police Urge Mount Climbers Not To Turn On Fire

Police officers at the location of the forest fire on the foot of Mount Sumbing/ Photo: Doc. Central Java Police

The El Nino phenomenon, which triggered an increase in air temperature and extreme drought, had a significant impact, including for the people of Central Java (Central Java). Extreme drought has the potential to trigger land and forest fires as well as water shortages for residents.

"We are currently wary of forest fires and fires in residential areas and toll roads. For this reason, residents in Central Java should be careful," said Head of Public Relations of the Central Java Police, Kombes Satake Bayu Setianto, in a written statement, Monday, September 4.

Referring to forest fires on the slopes of Mount Sumbing, Wonosobo, the Head of Humas asked residents and climbers not to light fires and throw cigarette butts carelessly.

"One of the causes of the fire is human factors. Let's increase our vigilance so that land and forest fires do not occur due to human factors," he said.

He said, Central Java has a number of mountains that are the favorites of mountain climbers, including Mount Lawu, Mount Merapi, Mount Merbabu, Mount Slamet, Mount Sindoro, Mount Sumbing and Mount Ungaran.

"For that, for those who climb in Central Java to be careful," he said

Regarding the development of the situation on the slopes of Mount Sumbing, the Head of Humas said the hotspots were no longer monitored. This is based on local police reports and satellite monitoring results.

"Satellite monitoring through the yellow fire application, the hotspots are no longer visible. Even so, the climb on Mount Sumbing is currently still closed," he explained.

For this reason, he continued, the National Police personnel who were assigned to the Wonosobo Police have now been withdrawn to their respective units.

"However, the Police are still on standby. Police units around Mount Sumbing continue to carry out patrols. Including coordinating with the local BPBD to monitor the development of the situation," he concluded.