Indonesian firefighters have mostly contained a wildfire scorching nearly 900 hectares across the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park on the main island of Java, though crews continue battling stubborn hot spots at the popular tourist destination, according to authorities.
Mount Bromo Park Closures and Active Hot Spots
The blaze began last week, impacting approximately 2,224 acres of dry grassland, vegetation, and protected edelweiss flowers across 36 hot spots, according to Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha, head of the park located in East Java province. The volcanic landscape of Mount Bromo sits directly within the impacted area, prompting officials to close the destination as firefighters work to prevent the flames from spreading further into the conservation zone.
As of Tuesday, active hot spots remain in multiple areas within the park. According to Suharyanto, head of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), hot spots persist at the Puncak 30 tourist viewpoint and the Dengklek volcano monitoring post. Meanwhile, reports from Associated Press contributors note additional hot spots lingering at Watangan, Argowulan, Dingklik-Pakis, and Bincil-Mungal.
“We expect the two remaining hotspots to be extinguished by Friday,” Suharyanto said during a visit to Mount Bromo, adding that this timeline would allow authorities to redeploy two of three water-bombing helicopters to combat separate forest fires burning in other regions.
Wider Wildfire Crisis and Peatland Fires in Indonesia
The Mount Bromo fire unfolds as Indonesia confronts a severe seasonal dry-season wildfire crisis. BNPB data shows that nearly 48,900 hectares, or 121,000 acres, of peatland burned across six fire-prone provinces as of Monday, with West Kalimantan province on Borneo island absorbing the largest impact.
Did you know? Peat fires can continue smoldering underground long after surface flames disappear, making aerial and ground support critical for complete containment, according to BNPB chief Suharyanto.
In Pontianak, the West Kalimantan provincial capital, the city’s Education and Cultural Office ordered schools to suspend in-person classes on Monday after air quality dropped to unhealthy levels. Health officials concurrently reported a measurable rise in respiratory illnesses.
To combat the broader crisis across Sumatra and Borneo islands, the Indonesian government deployed more than 35 aircraft, including patrol airplanes and water-bombing helicopters, to support ground operations.
Transboundary Haze Strains Regional Relations
Dense smoke generated by peatland and forest fires has created hazardous haze, worsening air quality and increasing health risks locally and across international borders. According to the BNPB, satellite imagery captured wildfire smoke drifting from West Kalimantan into neighboring Malaysia on multiple days this month.
The resulting haze severely impacted Malaysia’s Sarawak state, which shares a border with Indonesia’s Kalimantan province on Borneo. Data from the Malaysia Department of Environment’s air pollutant index showed areas recording unhealthy air quality levels in Sarawak climbing to 11 early Tuesday. In response, the Sarawak government instructed schools in affected zones to halt outdoor activities.
Authorities note that these fires are frequently started illegally by traditional farmers or plantation owners seeking to clear land for planting, triggering periodic regional haze across Southeast Asia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Mount Bromo closed to tourists?
Mount Bromo is closed because a wildfire has scorched nearly 900 hectares of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, and firefighters are actively working on the ground and through aerial operations to contain remaining hot spots.
How large is the broader wildfire crisis in Indonesia?
According to the BNPB, nearly 48,900 hectares of peatland had burned across six fire-prone provinces as of Monday, with West Kalimantan on Borneo island experiencing the largest affected area.
How are neighboring countries affected by the fires?
Wildfire smoke has drifted across the border into Malaysia, worsening air quality in Sarawak state and prompting local officials to halt outdoor school activities due to unhealthy pollution levels.
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