Indonesia Closes Mount Bromo to Tourists Amid Uncontrolled Forest Fires

Indonesia has closed the popular Mount Bromo National Park to all tourist activities due to persistent forest fires. The closure, effective since Saturday night, is indefinite. The park is one of the country's most visited natural attractions, drawing approximately 650,000 visitors in 2025.

The fires ignited seven days ago and have since consumed more than 176 hectares of land. As of Sunday, the blazes remain out of control. Emergency teams, supported by fire trucks, an airplane, and a helicopter, are battling the flames descending the volcano's slopes. Videos released by the emergency services show large tongues of fire.

Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, anticipating changes in the fire's direction and spread due to terrain and wind conditions. Moderate winds on Sunday offered some hope for extinguishing certain hotspots. Mount Bromo, an active volcano standing 2,329 meters high, is a key attraction on Java island, Indonesia's most populous island. Last year, Indonesia recorded 546 forest fires, and this year has already seen 375 fires between January and August.