Mount Rinjani Forest Fire Spreads Across 723.7 Hectares

Fire Continues to Burn on Mount Rinjani’s Torean Trail

Tempatdonasi.com – A forest fire in the Setampol Hill area of the Torean Resort, along the Mount Rinjani hiking route in North Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, has affected 723.7 hectares of vegetation.

The blaze began at about 18:50 Central Indonesian Time (WITA) on Tuesday, September 22. Firefighting operations remain under way, with crews confronting strong winds and steep terrain that has made access to the affected area difficult.

Sadimin, head of the West Nusa Tenggara Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), said the fire had not been fully brought under control. While parts of the burned area have been extinguished, flames were still consuming vegetation in other locations.

“Currently, the fire is still burning the vegetation. Of the total 723.7 hectares affected, the fire has been extinguished on 74.161 hectares,” Sadimin said.

Steep Terrain Slows Firefighting Efforts

The Setampol Hill fire presents a difficult operational challenge because of its location near a mountain hiking corridor. Personnel working on the ground must contend with uneven, steep slopes while monitoring a fire that can shift direction quickly when winds strengthen.

Wind conditions have been a major factor in the spread of the blaze. Gusts can carry flames and embers into nearby dry vegetation, increasing the area that must be monitored and making containment lines harder to maintain. The landscape’s difficult access also limits how quickly teams can reach active fire points.

“So, in addition to strong winds causing the fire to spread rapidly, the terrain at the scene is also steep and difficult for the joint personnel to access,” Sadimin said.

Joint personnel remain deployed in the area to continue suppression efforts. The response includes teams from the Mount Rinjani National Park Agency (TNGR), Manggala Agni, the Indonesian Military (TNI), the National Police (Polri), forest rangers, the Fire Brigade Community (MPA), and porters familiar with the hiking area.

The involvement of porters is particularly relevant in mountainous tourism areas, where local knowledge of trail routes and terrain can help support the movement of personnel and equipment. Fire response in such locations often depends on careful coordination between emergency agencies, park authorities, local communities, and teams already accustomed to operating on mountain paths.

Coordination Between Disaster and Park Authorities

The NTB BPBD is coordinating with the North Lombok Regency BPBD and the Mount Rinjani National Park Agency as the response continues. The agencies are working to manage the fire on the ground while assessing the conditions that may influence its further spread.

The exact cause of the Setampol Hill fire remains under investigation. Establishing the origin of a wildfire is important for prevention efforts, particularly during dry conditions when vegetation can ignite more easily and flames may expand rapidly across exposed slopes.

Mount Rinjani is one of Indonesia’s best-known mountain landscapes, and its hiking routes pass through areas where changing weather, elevation, and terrain can complicate emergency operations. A fire near a trail can affect not only vegetation but also the safety planning required for hikers, guides, porters, rangers, and nearby communities.

For visitors and residents, the incident underlines the importance of following safety instructions issued by local authorities and park managers. Conditions can change quickly during an active fire response, especially when winds are strong or crews need clear access to affected areas.

Public Asked to Help Prevent Further Fires

The BPBD has urged the public to take practical steps to reduce the risk of forest and land fires during the dry season. People have been asked not to clear land by burning and to avoid throwing cigarette butts into areas with dry grass, leaves, or other flammable material.

Anyone using fire for a permitted activity should make sure it has been completely extinguished before leaving the location. Even a small remaining ember can become dangerous when dry vegetation and wind combine.

“The public is also urged to immediately report any hotspots they discover to village officials, firefighters, the BPBD, or relevant agencies,” Sadimin said.

Early reporting can give emergency teams a better chance to respond before a hotspot develops into a larger fire. Residents, trail users, and workers in forest-edge areas can assist by remaining alert for smoke, flames, or signs of smoldering vegetation and by passing that information quickly to the appropriate authorities.

As crews continue working in the Torean Resort area, the focus remains on extinguishing the remaining fire, limiting its spread, and protecting the mountain environment from further damage. The combination of wind, dry vegetation, and difficult terrain means the operation requires sustained coordination and caution from everyone near the affected area.