500 Hectares of Land Burned in East Java Through August 2023, Pasuruan Most Affected

Based on data from the East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), 500 hectares (ha) of forest and open land in East Java burned during the January-August 2023 period.

According to CNN Indonesia, these forest and land fires (karhutla) spread across 14 regencies/cities in East Java.

Pasuruan Regency recorded the largest area of land burned in East Java, reaching 277.4 ha.

This was followed by Bondowoso and Mojokerto regencies, with burned land areas reaching 71.5 ha and 59.27 ha, respectively.

Head of the East Java BPBD, Gatot Soebroto, stated that the current karhutla incidents in East Java are still relatively small compared to the previous year. He explained that the current conditions have not yet reached the peak of the dry season.

"Compared to last year, the current situation is definitely smaller, as we haven't reached the peak of the dry season. It's currently at 0.03%," Gatot told CNN Indonesia on Wednesday (23/8/2023).

In response to the significant area affected by karhutla during this dry season, the East Java BPBD is coordinating with the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

"We don't want this to spread. If there is more widespread burning, we will request water bombing assistance from the BNPB," said Gatot.

The following details the area of burned land in East Java province as of August 21, 2023, by region:

1. Pasuruan Regency: 227.4 ha
2. Bondowoso Regency: 71.5 ha
3. Mojokerto Regency: 59.27 ha
4. Ngawi City: 53.95 ha
5. Probolinggo Regency: 45 ha
6. Bojonegoro City: 36 ha
7. Ponorogo Regency: 24.5 ha
8. Situbondo Regency: 24.1 ha
9. Kediri City: 20 ha
10. Lumajang Regency: 5 ha
11. Nganjuk Regency: 1.5 ha
12. Tuban City: 1 ha

In addition to these 12 regencies/cities, karhutla also occurred in Banyuwangi City and Magetan Regency. However, the total area of burned land is still being assessed.

(See also: NTT, Province with the Largest Forest and Land Fires until July 2023)