Jember, E Java, Sept. 11 -- Joint teams are battling a forest and land fire in Meru Betiri National Park spotted in Curahnongko Village, Jember District, East Java Province, that has burned 72 hectares.

"The fire has been burning since Tuesday (September 8) and has yet to be fully extinguished," Chief of Jember Regional Agency for Disaster Countermeasures (BPBD) Edy Budi Susilo said here on Friday.

The fire affected forest areas in Curahnongko and Andongrejo Villages in Tempurejo subdistrict, he said.

The blaze is believed to have started in the western part of the forest before spreading to dry leaves, grass and vines, Edy said, adding that it has burned 72 hectares of forest and land, while strong winds have made it difficult to exti...