Probolinggo, East Java (ANTARA) - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said that the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) will deploy more helicopters for water bombing to extinguish forest and land fires in the province.

In a statement released on Sunday, she said that she monitored forest and land fires from a helicopter in Mount Arjuna and Mount Welirang, and found smoke over Curah Kluntung in Batu City.

Parawansa then continued monitoring the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) and also found a burning fire in the Watangan Valley.

The fire was ignited by a spark from a flare used by a visitor during a pre-wedding photo session on September 6, she said.

"The fire at the Watangan Valley will continue to be extinguished until it is completely gone," she said.

Based on data from the East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the burned land in the TNBTS area until Friday has reached 274.71 hectares with no casualties.

In addition to water bombings, the efforts to extinguish the fire are also carried out by a group of 50 people who use gepyok, a traditional fire extinguisher in the form of a broom stick made from bamboo or wood.

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Translator: Zumrotun Solichah, Resinta S
Editor: Anton Santoso
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