Wildfire burns 20 hectares at Indonesia’s Mount Merapi Ungup-Ungup

A wildfire has scorched about 20 hectares in the Mount Merapi Ungup-Ungup area of Indonesia’s Ijen Crater Nature Tourism Park in Banyuwangi, East Java.

Satriyo Nurseno of the East Java Disaster Management Agency said officials first saw the flames at about 7:34 a.m. on September 3. The fire was located behind the forest management unit in the Merapi Ungup-Ungup nature reserve area.

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There are fire points behind the Forest Management Unit of the Merapi Ungup-Ungup Nature Reserve in the Ijen Mountain tourism area.

Firefighters have not been able to reach the main fire points because the route runs through steep, slippery and dangerous forest terrain. The agency set up an emergency monitoring post at Paltuding campsite, close to the fire, while officials continued to track the situation.

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The fire point cannot be reached because the route is steep, slippery and dangerous. The Banyuwangi Disaster Management Agency has established an emergency post tent at Paltuding Campsite.

The Banyuwangi disaster agency, the regional conservation agency and Perhutani are monitoring the Ijen Crater hiking route. Officials said the surveillance aims to prevent the flames from moving toward the tourist area and trail.

The East Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency then fully closed the Ijen Crater Nature Tourism Park. The closure began on September 4 and will remain in effect until further notice, the agency said, citing the need to reduce risks to visitors.

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The Ijen Crater Nature Tourism Park, located in Bondowoso and Banyuwangi regencies, has been affected by a forest fire. To minimize risks to visitors, visits to the park are closed from September 4, 2026, until further notice.