LOMBOK, Indonesia — A protected hillside on the eastern slopes of Lombok has been transformed into a charred landscape after a wildfire scorched approximately 66 hectares of forest and grassland, highlighting the growing environmental risks posed by prolonged extreme heat and suspected illegal hunting activities.
The blaze, which has burned for three consecutive days in Bukit Pal Jepang, East Lombok, has destroyed pine trees, shrubs, and vast stretches of dry grassland. Firefighters continue working to contain scattered hotspots across the steep terrain as authorities investigate what may have triggered the disaster.
Preliminary findings suggest the fire may have started during illegal hunting activity before spreading rapidly under intense heat and strong seasonal winds.
“Based on our initial findings, the fire was most likely caused by unknown individuals, as illegal hunting activities are still taking place in the area,” said Lalu Iskandar, Head of Protection at the East Rinjani Protected Forest Management Unit (KPHL). “The prolonged heat and strong winds then caused the flames to spread very quickly.”
A Protected Landscape Under Threat
Bukit Pal Jepang forms part of the broader protected forest landscape surrounding eastern Lombok, an area that plays an important role in safeguarding biodiversity, preventing erosion, and maintaining water catchment systems for nearby communities.
Although no injuries or fatalities have been reported, environmental officials warn that the destruction extends far beyond the loss of vegetation.
The fire has consumed pine forests, shrubs, and native grasslands that help stabilize the hillside and support local wildlife. Recovery of such ecosystems could take years, particularly if seasonal rains arrive late.
“The fire has destroyed shrubs, pine trees, and grasslands,” Iskandar said. “The environmental impact will remain long after the flames are extinguished.”
Firefighters Battle Difficult Terrain
Containing the wildfire has proven exceptionally difficult.
Joint teams from the Protected Forest Management Unit, Manggala Agni wildfire crews, police officers, military personnel, disaster response agencies, and local volunteers have been working around the clock.
However, rugged hillsides, steep cliffs, and limited vehicle access have forced firefighters to rely largely on manual suppression methods.
“The terrain is extremely steep and difficult to access,” Iskandar explained. “That remains one of the biggest challenges in bringing the fire fully under control.”
To slow the wildfire’s advance, crews have created a network of firebreaks—cleared strips of land designed to stop flames from spreading into untouched forest. Authorities say the strategy has successfully reduced the fire’s expansion, although isolated hotspots remain active.
“We have gradually narrowed the spread of the fire, but firefighters are still working to reach several difficult locations,” he added.
More Than a Local Fire
Environmental experts have increasingly warned that Indonesia’s dry season is becoming more challenging as rising temperatures, prolonged drought, and human activity combine to create conditions highly favorable for wildfires.
While lightning can ignite natural fires, investigators say many forest fires across Indonesia continue to be linked to human activity, including illegal land clearing, unattended campfires, and hunting inside protected forests.
The Bukit Pal Jepang wildfire reflects that broader pattern, where a single ignition source can quickly become an environmental emergency under dry and windy conditions.
For neighboring Bali, the incident also serves as a reminder that ecosystems across the Lesser Sunda Islands share many of the same climate pressures. During prolonged dry periods, wildfire risks increase significantly across forests, national parks, and protected conservation areas throughout the region.
A Growing Challenge for Sustainable Tourism
Lombok has steadily built an international reputation for its mountains, waterfalls, beaches, and outdoor adventures, attracting travelers seeking quieter alternatives to Bali.
Much of that appeal depends on healthy natural landscapes.
Wildfires not only threaten wildlife and forests but can also damage hiking routes, reduce biodiversity, increase erosion, and affect local communities whose livelihoods depend on eco-tourism and agriculture.
As Indonesia continues promoting sustainable tourism, protecting protected forests like Bukit Pal Jepang is becoming increasingly important—not only for conservation but also for the long-term resilience of the tourism economy.
The Investigation Continues
Authorities continue investigating the exact cause of the fire while searching for individuals believed to have entered the protected forest for illegal hunting.
Officials have also urged residents and visitors to avoid activities that could ignite additional fires during the ongoing dry season, including open burning and unauthorized entry into protected forest areas.
For firefighters, the immediate mission is stopping the flames.
For conservationists, the greater challenge will begin once the smoke clears.
Restoring a protected hillside that took decades to grow may require many more years of recovery—serving as a powerful reminder that while a wildfire can spread in hours, rebuilding nature is measured in generations.
