West Java governor orders temporary mountain hiking closures

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi has issued an order to temporarily close mountain hiking areas in response to a sharp increase in forest fires across the province. The directive comes after data from the West Java Disaster Mitigation Agency revealed that the total area of burned forest and land reached 228.07 hectares, up from 196.40 hectares within just one week. The decision was made to mitigate the risk of further fires, particularly during the dry season, which is known to heighten the likelihood of uncontrolled blazes. The order was announced in Bandung, the capital of West Java, on Tuesday. During a public statement, Mulyadi emphasized that activities such as campfires and the disposal of cigarette butts posed a direct threat to forest safety. He called on local authorities managing mountainous regions to implement immediate restrictions on hiking to reduce the chances of accidental ignition. “Mountain hiking should be temporarily suspended because hikers could start fires,” he stated, underscoring the urgency of the situation. According to the latest figures, the fires have impacted 178 villages and urban wards spread across 107 subdistricts in West Java. A total of 156 individual fire incidents were recorded, with the highest number occurring in Sumedang District, which reported 21 fires, followed by Majalengka District with 17 and Bandung District with 16. These numbers highlight the severity of the crisis, especially given the region's vulnerability to rapid fire spread due to its dense vegetation and dry conditions. The disaster agency spokesperson, Hadi Rahmat Hardjasasmita, provided additional breakdowns of the affected areas. Sukabumi District emerged as the worst-hit, with 49.20 hectares of land burned, while Majalengka accounted for 26.16 hectares and Bandung for 24.80 hectares. These figures underscore the localized impact of the fires, with certain districts experiencing disproportionately higher damage than others. The agency continues to monitor the situation closely and is coordinating with local governments to manage the ongoing emergency. In related developments, officials noted that the rise in forest fires coincides with broader environmental concerns. While efforts to combat wildfires have shown some progress elsewhere in Indonesia, such as the 88 percent reduction in fire-affected areas in South Sumatra over three years, West Java faces unique challenges due to its geography and seasonal patterns. Authorities are also exploring technological solutions, including the recent development of a groundwater level monitoring system by the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (BRIN), aimed at preventing future outbreaks through better resource management. As the situation unfolds, local communities and environmental groups remain vigilant. Some residents have expressed concern over the potential long-term effects of the fires on biodiversity and water resources. Meanwhile, government agencies continue to work on contingency plans, including increased patrols in high-risk zones and enhanced public awareness campaigns to discourage unsafe practices among visitors. With the dry season still underway, the focus remains on containing existing fires and preventing new ones from igniting.