Indonesia closes all access to Mount Bromo as wildfire expands
JAKARTA: Indonesia has closed Mount Bromo national park in East Java for all tourist activities, its operator said late on Saturday, as a wildfire, burning since Monday, expanded in its caldera area.
Indonesia has sealed Mount Bromo national park in East Java to all tourist activities as a wildfire, which has been burning since Monday, spreads through its caldera area, the park's operator announced late on Saturday. The closure, effective from Saturday evening, remains indefinite, according to the park operator's official Instagram page.
The fire has scorched approximately 176 hectares (434.91 acres) of the active volcano, a famed tourist destination known for its sand sea caldera. The wildfire's size has grown from around 60 hectares on Thursday. The park's operator emphasized that this closure is essential for safeguarding visitors, staff, and inhabitants in nearby regions.
Rescheduled visits or refunds are available for those who have purchased entrance tickets. The East Java disaster mitigation agency reported that authorities are utilizing water bombing helicopters and water spraying drones to intensify fire-fighting efforts. Footage from the park's operator on social media depicted the fire spreading across the mountain's slopes overnight. Authorities have not disclosed the cause of the fire, and no reported casualties exist.
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