Ciremai fire spreads, Kuningan seeks water bombing
The burned area expanded from about 5 hectares to tens of hectares, while steep terrain is hampering ground crews.
The forest and land fire on the slopes of Taman Nasional Gunung Ciremai in Pasawahan, Kuningan Regency, West Java, has spread since it was first detected on Wednesday (21/10) night. The fire started in Grid 15 M, Resor Pasawahan SPTN Wilayah I Kuningan, at around 20.44 WIB. A joint team from TNGC, Manggala Agni Kemenhut, Masyarakat Peduli Api, TNI, Polri, BPBD, Perhutani, the fire department, tourism partners and residents were deployed to extinguish the blaze. Kuningan Regent Dian Rachmat Yanuar said a water bombing option is being pursued through coordination with the West Java provincial government because the fire has spread across steep, rocky slopes. By Thursday evening, containment efforts were focused on ground firefighting and the creation of firebreaks, while personnel from Majalengka and Cirebon also joined the effort.