Reeds in the Hills of the Protected Forest Area in Karangasem Burned

Ilalang hills in Kertha Mandala Village, Abang District, Karangasem Regency caught fire. The fire has now been extinguished/DOK Fire Service

KARANGASEM - The grass of the hills in Kertha Mandala Village, Abang District, Karangasem Regency caught fire. This hill is part of the Gondangdia Protected Forest area, in Karangasem Regency, Bali.

Head of the Karangasem Fire and Rescue Service (Damkartan), I Made Agus Budiyasa, said the fire on the hill was around 16.00 p.m. Central Indonesian Time (WITA) and was extinguished an hour and a half later.

"We are not extinguishing it, because it is on a hill or at the top and there is no access. We are just monitoring the progress of the fire so that it doesn't spread downwards. If it does come down, there are several points in the house that we are anticipating so that it doesn't get there," said Budiyasa, Monday, September 25.

The burned area on the hill is estimated to have reached around two hectares.

"In the hill area on the slopes and where the vegetation is filled with weeds, maybe around two hectares (were burned)," he added.

The cause of the fire on the hill is not yet known. The fire spread across the hills.

"If it's dry, it's certain, because the rain hasn't fallen yet and there are also reeds there. The fire will go out on its own, we'll be on standby downstairs to anticipate it. Coincidentally, the wind is going in the opposite direction and not heading towards the settlement," he said.