Karhutla in Sembalun Resort TN Mount Rinjani Successfully Controlled, Affected Area Estimated at 30 Acres

Officers carried out a search and extinguished the remaining material that still had the potential to re-ignite after the Sembalun Resort was extinguished in Mount Rinjani Park, West Nusa Tenggara, Saturday (9/8/2026) ANTARA/HO-Kemenhut

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) together with the Mount Rinjani National Park Office (TNGR) and a number of related elements have managed to control forest and land fires (karhutla) that occurred in the Sembalun Resort area, Mount Rinjani National Park, West Nusa Tenggara.

Head of the TNGR Office Budhy Kurniawan in a statement received in Jakarta, Saturday, said the fire was successfully controlled on Saturday, August 8 at around 01.30 WITA.

Based on the examination after handling, officers did not find any active fire points at the location. However, personnel still carried out mopping up or combing the area while extinguishing the remaining materials that still have the potential to cause embers.

"Handling forest fires requires a quick response and joint work. We appreciate the support of all parties who are moving together in the field. After the fire was successfully controlled, monitoring and mopping up were still carried out to ensure that there were no embers or points of fire that were re-ignited," said Budhi, as quoted by ANTARA, Sunday, August 9.

The fire was known after a report from the community on Friday (7/8) at around 16.48 WITA. Sembalun Resort officers together with SKMA street children then went to the location to confirm the report.

The results of the check showed that there were three active fire points in the Maletan area. The officers then coordinated and prepared various equipment for the extinguishing process.

A total of around 22 personnel were involved in the initial phase of handling. They came from the TNGR Center, Polhut Mitra Society, local people, PKL SKMA students, Sembalun Police, Koramil Sembalun, and East Lombok Regency Fire Department.

In this operation, the aspect of occupational safety and health (K3) is the main concern. Considering the condition of the terrain and the direction of the fire development is still changing, the team decided to temporarily stop activities at 19.00 WITA and return to the post according to the safety procedures for extinguishing.

From the results of the temporary observation, the area affected by the fire is estimated to reach around 30 hectares. However, the area still has to undergo further verification. The affected vegetation is mainly shrubs, bushes, and lianas.

The development of conditions in the field is also monitored using drones. On Friday evening, the handling efforts also received support from the East Lombok Regency Fire Department, Sembalun Police, and Koramil Sembalun who deployed firefighting vehicles.

The operation was resumed on Saturday at around 00.15 WITA. The joint team led by the East Lombok Police Chief together with the Head of the Regional SPTN II moved to the location of the fire in the Dalem Petung area.

In the follow-up operation, 35 personnel were deployed. They consist of officers from the TNGR Center, East Lombok Police, Sembalun Police, Mataram Section III Dalkarhut Center, and PKL SKMA students.

About an hour later, at 01.30 WITA, the fire was declared under control. The team rechecked the affected area and did not find any active fire points. A search was then carried out to ensure that any residual material that could potentially re-ignite could be extinguished immediately.

Budhy Kurniawan also expressed his appreciation to all parties who helped the fire control process. Support came from the East Lombok Police, Sembalun Police, BPBD East Lombok, Mataram Section III Fire Department, PKL SKMA students, the community, and various other elements.

The TNGR Office stated that monitoring of the former fire area would continue to be carried out to ensure that there were no embers or remaining fire points. In every stage of handling, the safety and health of all personnel remain a priority.

The Ministry of Home Affairs also reminded people living around the Mount Rinjani National Park to increase vigilance. Residents are asked to immediately report to officers if they see signs of fire or find activities that have the potential to trigger a fire.