Wildfire Forces Indonesia To Close National Park After Burning 435 Acres Of Land
Indonesia shuts national park as wildfire spreads.
Indonesian authorities have closed access to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park on Java Island as firefighters battle a wildfire that has burned around 176 hectares (435 acres) of land since it broke out on Monday. The blaze is burning near Mount Bromo, one of East Java's most popular tourist destinations, prompting officials to restrict visitor access as emergency teams work to contain the flames. Authorities barred visitors from entering the national park late Saturday until further notice, according to officials.
The closure is aimed at protecting tourists and other visitors from the fire and difficult conditions in affected areas while allowing firefighting teams to operate without additional risks. The wildfire has continued to spread across parts of the park, with steep terrain and strong winds complicating efforts to reach some sections of the affected area. National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesman Abdul Muhari said no injuries or property destruction had been reported in connection with the wildfire. However, the fire has already affected approximately 176 hectares of the national park.
The authorities are monitoring the situation as firefighters attempt to prevent the flames from spreading further and tackle areas where ground access is particularly difficult. Two water-bombing helicopters have been deployed to support firefighting operations, particularly in locations that cannot be reached easily by teams on the ground. Muhari said the aircraft were being used to drop water over the affected areas and help firefighters tackle the blaze from the air. Strong winds and steep slopes have made land-based firefighting more challenging, increasing the importance of aerial operations in containing the fire.
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The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park is home to Mount Bromo, an active volcano and a major tourist attraction in East Java. The park's distinctive volcanic landscape attracts visitors from Indonesia and abroad, making the closure a significant measure for local tourism as well as public safety. Authorities have not announced when access will resume, saying the restriction will remain in place until further notice while firefighting efforts continue. The current wildfire also recalls a major blaze that affected Mount Bromo in 2023. More than 500 hectares of land were destroyed at the time after a couple reportedly lit a flare during a pre-wedding photo shoot, triggering a fire in the area.
The incident led to a temporary closure of parts of the tourist destination and highlighted the vulnerability of the region's dry vegetation to fires. Officials are continuing to assess the latest blaze as firefighters work to contain it and prevent further damage to the national park. The deployment of water-bombing helicopters is expected to help teams reach areas where steep slopes and strong winds make ground operations difficult. While no casualties or property damage have been reported so far, authorities have kept the park closed to visitors as a precaution while the wildfire continues to burn.
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