Indonesia closes national park in East Java as wildfire expands

Mount Bromo national park in East Java, Indonesia, is now off-limits to visitors as a wildfire near the active volcano has nearly tripled in size. The park operator announced the closure on Saturday, stating it's a crucial step for safety. Visitors with existing tickets can seek refunds. Hundreds of firefighters, disaster management personnel, police, soldiers, park rangers, and volunteers mobilized Sunday to contain the blaze. The fire has consumed roughly 176 hectares (435 acres) since it broke out Monday, growing significantly from about 60 hectares (150 acres) on Thursday. Water-bombing helicopters and drones are being deployed to aid the fight. Officials noted that steep terrain, whipping winds, and the fire's location in forested areas make ground access difficult, emphasizing the crucial role of air operations. Indonesia is bracing for an unusually intense dry season, partly due to the El Nino weather pattern. This year, fires have already burned about 1,070 square kilometers (415 square miles) of Indonesian land, more than double the area affected in 2023. Last year, a fire on Mount Bromo burned over 500 hectares after a couple lit a flare during a wedding photoshoot.

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