Mount Bromo Closed to Tourists Indefinitely as Wildfire Spreads in East Java
Authorities have closed all tourist access to Mount Bromo in East Java's Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park indefinitely, effective the night of August 8, as a wildfire has burned around 176 hectares. The closure allows crews to focus on firefighting, with no reopening date announced.
The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park office in East Java has ordered a full, indefinite closure of tourist access to Mount Bromo due to a rapidly spreading wildfire. The closure took effect at 10 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (1500 GMT) on Saturday, August 8.
Park chief Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha said the measure was necessary "to ensure the effectiveness of the firefighting operations," with all entrance gates strictly closed to visitors. The fire has expanded from roughly 60 hectares on Thursday to about 176 hectares amid dry conditions that began earlier in the week.
The cause of the fire has not been disclosed, and no casualties have been reported so far. Mount Bromo has five entrance gates across four districts in East Java—Cemorolawang (Probolinggo), Wonokitri (Pasuruan), Jemplang and Coban Trisula (Malang), and Senduro (Lumajang)—all of which are now closed. No reopening date has been set.
While Mount Bromo is located in East Java rather than Bali, it is a popular sunrise-viewing destination often included in multi-destination itineraries with Bali. This closure could directly affect foreign travelers who have planned combined trips to both locations.
Things to Consider
If you have plans to visit Mount Bromo, contact your travel agency or tour operator to arrange rescheduling, cancellation, or refunds. Monitor official national park announcements and local news before attempting any visit, as no reopening date has been set. If you booked a multi-destination tour from Bali, consider alternative volcano viewpoints within Bali, such as Kintamani, until Bromo reopens.
Source: ANTARA News Bali