Government Prepares OMC to Speed Up the Bromo Mountain Forest Fire

Aerial photo of a vehicle transporting tourists crossing the smoke from the Bantengan Block area, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS), Probolinggo, East Java/ANTARA FOTO/Irfan Sumanjaya/tom.

JAKARTA - The government through the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is preparing a scenario for Weather Modification Operations (OMC) as an additional step to trigger rain and accelerate the extinguishing of forest and land fires (karhutla) in Mount Bromo, East Java.

BNPB Head Suharyanto said that the weather engineering option was prepared in conjunction with the deployment of aerial firefighting assistance.

"In addition to water bombing, BNPB is preparing OMC support, the implementation of which is adjusted to the development of weather conditions and needs in the field," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, August 6.

Suhariyanto explained that this air blackout integration was designed to strengthen the joint ground team, which has been hampered by steep cliffs on the slopes of the Bromo Caldera.

This large-scale emergency handling is based on the determination of the Drought Emergency Alert Status and Karhutla by the East Java Provincial Government (Pemprov) based on Governor's Decree Number 100.3.3.1/327/013/2026.

The provincial emergency alert status is valid for 180 days starting from May 26 until October 6, 2026.

To strengthen the legal umbrella for the affected areas, the Probolinggo Regency Government (Pemkab) also issued a Bupati Decree Number 300.2/326/426.32/2026 regarding the emergency standby for karhutla which is valid until October 5, 2026.

Suharyanto emphasized that the availability of this emergency standby status provides easy access for the central government to channel helicopter fleet assistance to weather modification technology.

The use of OMC and helicopter water bombing is expected to be able to reach isolated fire points, so that it does not spread to other conservation forest areas.

To support this process, BNPB appeals to all parties to continue to increase vigilance during the peak of the dry season and to comply with the order to temporarily close the tourist area within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) in order to facilitate the joint team's operations.