Preventing Fires, Tourists Are Reminded Not To Smoke In Labuan Bajo Hill

Efforts to extinguish a fire on the hill in front of the Ayana Labuan Bajo Hotel, West Manggarai, NTT, Monday (22/8/2022) (ANTARA/Fransiska Mariana Nuka)

LABUAN BAJO - Head of the Civil Service Police Unit (Kasatpol PP) West Manggarai Regency, NTT Stef Salut asked tourists visiting Sylvia Hill Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai, NTT, not to smoke and throw cigarette butts on the hill.

"Everyone who visits the hill to see the 'view' is not allowed to smoke. It is very vulnerable," he said at the site of the fire in front of the Ayana Labuan Bajo Hotel as reported by ANTARA, Monday, August 22.

He said this appeal was often disseminated by the West Manggarai Pol PP Unit. Especially in the midst of strong winds like today, the fire will easily spread because the condition of the plants is very dry and flammable.

There are currently two fire locations, namely on Sylvia Hill, which occurred at 18.38 WITA. However, there was a second point that burned until tonight on the hill in front of the Ayana Hotel.

Stef said the source of the fire was not known for sure. However, the fire is believed to have started from cigarette butts from nearby residents.

"The area burned is about 8-10 hectares," he continued.

Satpol PP officers do not work alone to extinguish the fire. The officers were assisted by the TNI, Polri, Ayana Hotel employees, and PLN ULP Labuan Bajo officers.

Efforts to extinguish the fire in front of the Ayana Hotel started at 22.20 WITA until now with the help of two fire engines and three water tanks belonging to Labuan Bajo residents.

Fighting the fire is quite difficult because access to the site is covered with shrubs. In addition, the contours of the rocky soil that are easily separated make it difficult for officers to climb to the top. Until now, firefighters are trying to extinguish the fire that continues to spread