Indonesia Battles Mount Bromo Wildfire as El Niño Strengthens
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Jakarta: As the nation prepares for the effects of a deepening El Niño, Indonesia battled a wildfire that swept through the Mount Bromo National Park on Friday, but efforts to confine the fire were hampered by dry conditions and strong winds.
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency reports that the fire, which started in East Java on Monday, has destroyed at least 60 hectares of land. The park's rough and steep topography has made it difficult for authorities to reach hotspots.
In addition to arranging weather modification activities to provide rainfall and aid in putting out the flames, authorities are deploying two water-bombing helicopters to assist ground troops. As a precaution, some areas of the well-known tourist destination have been shuttered.
The fire comes as El Niño deepens, heightening fears about hotter and drier weather, potentially increasing wildfire and drought risks in Indonesia. The cause of the Bromo fire is still under investigation.
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