Mount Bromo in East Java closed to tourists as wildfires spread

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3 hours ago

Malang, E Java (ANTARA) – The Indonesian government has closed all tourist access to Mount Bromo in East Java indefinitely as a wildfire spreads across the national park, allowing crews to focus on firefighting amid worsening conditions.

The full closure took effect at 10 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (1500 GMT) on Saturday, August 8, the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park office said, with tourist activities suspended indefinitely.

“To ensure the effectiveness of the firefighting operations, all entrance gates to Mount Bromo are strictly closed to tourists,” park chief Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha said, as authorities sought to protect visitors and staff.

He said the decision followed rapidly deteriorating conditions as the wildfire spread across the Bromo Caldera. The blaze has burned around 176 hectares, expanding from about 60 hectares on Thursday, amid dry conditions since Monday.

“The closure will remain in effect until further notice,” Nugraha said. Authorities have not said what caused the fire, and no casualties have been reported, with no reopening date set for tourists at this stage.

The popular destination has five entrance gates across four districts: Cemorolawang in Probolinggo, Wonokitri in Pasuruan, Jemplang and Coban Trisula in Malang, and Senduro in Lumajang, serving communities in East Java Province.

Nugraha said the shutdown was necessary to protect visitors and urged tourism operators to stop all activities inside the national park. “This is for our collective security and safety,” he said, as authorities fought it.

Visitors who booked tickets online for affected dates can reschedule their trips or seek refunds, the park authority said. Travelers must complete a form on the official booking portal for processing affected bookings promptly.

Recent video posted on the park’s official Instagram account showed intense flames burning along a cliff near the Tengger Caldera Ring Road, highlighting the wildfire’s continued spread after flames reached mountain slopes overnight Saturday.

An officer in the video said the fire had also spread toward Mount Kursi, another peak within the national park, as crews worked to contain the blaze and prevent further expansion during firefighting operations.