Wildfire ravages Indonesia’s Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park

A devastating wildfire has engulfed a significant portion of Indonesia's Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, prompting the complete closure of this renowned tourist attraction. Over 899 hectares (2,222 acres) of savanna and forest within the park in East Java province have been ravaged by the inferno, according to the provincial disaster management agency.

The blaze, which ignited on August 3 at the park's eastern entrance, is believed to have been started by human activity, as confirmed by the park's chief, Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha. The source of the fire is not a tourist area nor a public road, but rather a shortcut path utilized by local residents. TNBTS spokesperson Endrip Wahyutama reported that the origin of the blaze is not a tourist location and not a public road.

The park's management has ordered a total closure of the protected area until further notice. Daryono Perwira Sakti, a disaster mitigation educator who previously led the earthquake and tsunami directorate at Indonesia's weather agency, BMKG, emphasized the critical importance of the park's closure on social media. He pointed out that the loose volcanic soil in the park is particularly susceptible to severe fires, which can lead to further disaster.

Daryono explained that the extreme heat generated by the fire not only destroys vegetation and the natural seed bank but also creates a water-repellent soil layer. This layer inhibits water absorption into the soil, increasing the risk of massive gully erosion and landslides.