A fire burned about two hectares of conservation forest in the Mount Batur Bukit Payang Nature Tourism Park in Kintamani, Bangli, on Sunday afternoon, with no casualties reported.

The fire started at around 12.40 p.m. on August 30 in the Seked Block of the conservation area in Batur Tengah Village.

The blaze was first spotted by residents and motorists travelling along the road from Seked to Pura Jati. Residents tried to put out the flames using whatever equipment was available before reporting the incident to the Kintamani Forest Conservation Management Unit (KPHK), Kintamani Police and the local military post.

Police, military personnel, KPHK staff and residents then worked together to contain the fire, using water pipes, fire extinguishers and branches.

Two Bangli Fire and Rescue Service vehicles arrived at around 2.30 p.m. to assist with the operation. The fire was brought under control at about 3 p.m.

Thick smoke from the blaze reduced visibility on the nearby road, prompting police to temporarily control traffic around the area.

Firefighters and other personnel also created firebreaks to prevent the flames from spreading or flaring up again. A joint team remained at the site to monitor the area for any remaining hotspots.

Kintamani Police Chief Commissioner Dwi Puja Rimbawa confirmed that there were no casualties. He said around two hectares of forest in the Mount Batur area had been affected by the fire.

Authorities initially suspected that the fire may have been caused by negligence, including a discarded cigarette in dry vegetation. However, the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The firefighting operation was led by Bangli Police Chief AKBP Anggun Adhika Putra. A total of 30 police officers, eight firefighters, five KPHK personnel and around 30 local residents were involved in the response.

The latest fire is not the first to hit the conservation area. The Mount Batur Bukit Payang area has experienced multiple forest fires in recent years, highlighting the recurring risk of fires in the dry vegetation surrounding the conservation zone.