Indonesia has closed all tourist access to Mount Bromo National Park in East Java after a wildfire that began on Monday (3rd August) spread significantly across the caldera of the active volcano. The blaze has burned around 176 hectares, up from roughly 60 hectares on Thursday (6th August).
The park operator announced the full closure late on Saturday (8th August), with the measure taking effect that evening for an undetermined period. The decision was posted on the operator’s official Instagram page.
“This closure is a crucial step to maintain safety of visitors, staff and people in the surrounding areas,” the operator said, adding that people who have already bought entrance tickets will be able to reschedule their visits or request a refund through the existing booking system.
Local tourism operators have also been advised to suspend activities within the park boundaries until further notice.
East Java’s disaster mitigation agency said authorities are deploying water-bombing helicopters and water-spraying drones to strengthen efforts to extinguish the fire. The aircraft are targeting hotspots that ground teams cannot easily reach because the steep volcanic terrain makes access difficult in some areas.
Footage uploaded by the park operator on social media showed flames spreading across the mountain’s slopes overnight. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire. No injuries or fatalities have been reported, and there has been no indication of damage to nearby communities outside the park.
Mount Bromo is part of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, one of East Java’s best-known natural attractions. The active volcano rises to 2,329 metres and is famous for its dramatic volcanic landscape, including the ash-covered sand sea and sunrise views that attract visitors from across Indonesia and overseas.
The park spans parts of Probolinggo, Pasuruan, Malang, and Lumajang regencies, and all its entrance points have now been closed.
The site holds deep cultural importance for the local Tengger people, who regard the volcano as sacred and maintain traditional practices linked to the area. Tourism is a major part of the local economy, with visitors typically arriving for jeep tours, walks across the sand sea, and climbs to viewpoints overlooking the smoking crater.
The current blaze is the latest challenge facing the park during what Indonesian authorities have described as an unusually dry season. The area has faced similar threats in recent years. A fire in 2023 burned more than 500 hectares after flares were used during a photoshoot, highlighting the vulnerability of dry vegetation around the caldera.
This year’s dry conditions have already contributed to widespread fires elsewhere in Indonesia, with national figures showing significantly more land affected during the first half of the year compared with previous periods.
Mount Bromo’s status as a major attraction for domestic and international travellers means the closure is likely to disrupt planned visits in the coming days and weeks. The park is often included in itineraries covering other East Java attractions, and its temporary shutdown removes one of the region’s signature experiences until the fire is brought under control.
Officials have not set a reopening date. Access will remain restricted for as long as necessary to protect visitors, staff, and nearby communities, with updates expected through the park’s official channels as firefighting efforts continue.
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