The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park authority announced on August 9 that the entire area, located near an active volcano that typically attracts large numbers of tourists, would be closed until further notice. The decision came as a wildfire that started on August 4 has scorched approximately 176 hectares, up from 60 hectares on August 7.
"The closure is a crucial step to ensure the safety of tourists, staff, and residents in the surrounding areas," the park's management wrote on Instagram, adding that those who had purchased entry tickets during the closure period would be eligible for refunds.
Hundreds of firefighters, disaster response personnel, police, soldiers, forest rangers, and volunteers have been mobilized since August 9 to control the blaze. Water-dropping helicopters and drones equipped with water sprayers have also been deployed to assist the efforts.
Abdul Muhari, spokesperson for the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, said steep terrain, strong winds, and the fire's location deep in the forest made it difficult for ground crews to access. "These conditions make aerial operations crucial to reach areas that cannot be optimally accessed by land," he stated.
Indonesia is forecast to experience an unusually severe dry season this year, partly due to the El Nino phenomenon, which brings warmer sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, according to Indonesia's Meteorological Agency.
Wildfires have burned approximately 1,070 square kilometers of land in Indonesia this year, more than double the area burned in 2023. That year, a fire scorched over 500 hectares on Mount Bromo after a couple ignited flare guns during a wedding photo shoot.
