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🇸🇬 Singapore /Disasters & Emergencies

Indonesia closes all access to Mount Bromo as wildfire expands

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Indonesia closed Mount Bromo national park on August 8 due to a wildfire that began August 3.
  • The wildfire has burned approximately 176 hectares and expanded significantly since August 6.
  • Authorities are using water-bombing helicopters and drones to extinguish the fire, with no cause or casualties reported.

Mount Bromo national park in East Java is now closed to all visitors as a wildfire continues to spread. The park operator announced the closure late on August 8, with no set end date. The blaze, which started on August 3, has consumed about 176 hectares within the popular "sand sea" caldera of the active volcano.

The wildfire has grown considerably, expanding from around 60 hectares on August 6 to its current size. The park operator stated the closure is a "crucial step" to ensure the safety of visitors and staff. Those with existing tickets can reschedule or request refunds.

East Java's disaster mitigation agency is deploying aerial resources, including water-bombing helicopters and water-spraying drones, to combat the flames. Social media footage shows the fire advancing across the mountain slopes overnight. The cause of the wildfire remains undetermined, and no injuries or fatalities have been reported.

This closure is a crucial step to maintain the safety of visitors, staff and people in the surrounding areas.

— the park operatorExplaining the reason for closing Mount Bromo national park.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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