Four firefighters die in Indonesian national park wildfire
Four firefighters died and two were severely burned in a wildfire in East Java during Indonesia's worst fire season in a decade.
Four people died and two suffered severe burns while fighting a wildfire in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java on Thursday. A 12-member firefighting team became trapped by thick smoke and rapidly spreading flames.
Strong winds fanned the fire. Three were found dead at an evacuation point; one died from injuries during treatment.
Rescue efforts were hampered by steep terrain. Vehicles could not reach the remote mountainous area.
Indonesia is experiencing its worst wildfires in a decade. The fires burn mainly on Borneo and Sumatra.
Land clearance using fire, water shortages, and an El Niño weather pattern are driving them. Toxic smoke has drifted as far as the Philippines.
- 4 people
- Deaths
- 2 people
- Severe burns
- 12 firefighters
- Team size
- Philippines, more than 800km away
- Smoke reach
Why it mattersThe deaths show the extreme dangers firefighters face when battling massive wildfires in remote areas with harsh terrain.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but Indonesia's worst fire season in a decade shows the scale of regional climate and environmental challenges that could eventually impact Australia.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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