REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PROBOLINGGO -- Fires have ravaged 450 hectares of land area in Bromo Tengger National Park, which is located 2,329 meters above sea level in Probolinggo, East Java Province.

"It is believed that the fire started on Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 9) and continued to spread and has burnt approximately 450 hectares of land area," Head of Bromo Tengger National Park Center Ayu Dewi Utari stated here on Thursday evening.

Of the 450 hectares of land razed down by the fire, 100 hectares were savanna and 350 hectares were areas in the cliffs near Watu Kutho to Watu Gede slopes.

"The fire immediately burnt the dry grass and ferns in the savanna because of the strong wind blowing in the dry season. Thus, 100 hectares of the savanna were burnt down, which is the habitat of various animals in the national park," Ayu stated.

The chief noted that the fires were completely extinguished by 5 p.m. local time with the combined efforts of at least a thousand volunteers comprising national park officers, community, Indonesian Military and Police personnel.

"Praise to God, the fires were completely extinguished. I hope there are no more residual embers caused by the strong wind in the area, so that the fires in the burnt areas would not spread," Ayu remarked.

The officers used basic tools to extinguish the fires such as jet shooters and set some soil wet to prevent the fires from spreading.

"We are still monitoring the area to avoid the embers from reigniting because the savanna in Bromo area is prone to fires during the dry season due to human negligence," Ayu pointed out.

The officer believes that the cause of fire was a result of negligence of a grass collector in the savanna area who threw an ignited cigarette butt or did not completely set off the fire due to which the fire spread to the cliffs.

"The agency has placed warning instructions and prohibition boards for the visitors or people to not throw cigarettes, set up fire, or other activities that can trigger fires in the dry season," Ayu stated.

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