Wildfire Scorches 1 Hectare at Gunung Gede Suryakencana

A land fire hit Alun-alun Suryakencana in Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park, Cianjur, West Java, on Thursday (6/8). The blaze was reported around 15.00 WIB in the western part of Alun-alun Suryakencana, near Gunung Gumuruh. According to a CNN Indonesia report, dozens of volunteers and residents from the slopes of Gunung Gede climbed to the site to battle the flames with improvised tools, including grass and wet cloths. After about three hours, the fire at Alun-alun Suryakencana was brought under control. However, according to BPBD Jawa Barat, a fire point also appeared at Kawah Wadon, bringing the total burned area to an estimated one hectare. Officials are still monitoring the site and investigating the cause of the fire, with an initial suspicion that dry grass fueled the blaze during hot, dry-season weather.