The decision to declare the mountain off-limits for mountaineering was aimed at avoiding undesirable incidents to climbers.Madiun, E Java (ANTARA News) - A fire has ravaged the forest in Mount Lawu, which straddles the southern border of East and Central Java, since last Saturday, prompting authorities to declare the 3,265-meter high mountain off-limits to climbing activity.
"The forest fire broke out on Saturday night. It started at lot 73 in the Sarangan forest management subdistrict unit, Lawu Ds forest district unit, or near post 5 of the climbing route," spokesman for South Lawu forest district unit Marwoto said on Monday.
The decision to declare the mountain off-limits for mountaineering was aimed at avoiding undesirable incidents to climbers. As a result, hundreds of visitors had canceled their plans to climb the mountain to observe the 69th anniversary of Indonesian independence, which fell on Sunday (August 17).
"The climbing routes have been closed indefinitely for the sake of climbers safety," he said.
The forestry authorities, helped by relevant agencies, were trying to put out the forest fire. Dry and hot weather caused the fire to spread quickly.
"We have been trying to put out the blaze since overnight, but we found it difficult to do so due to the darkness and steep fire site," he noted.
The cause of the wildfire is still unknown.
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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