How Big Is the Fire Ravaging Mount Merapi?
Forest fires ravage the Mount Merapi National Park since Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
A forest fire is currently ravaging the Mount Merapi National Park in Indonesia, adding to a series of blazes that have occurred in various parts of the country. The blaze, which began on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, is still burning on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. Initially, the fire affected an area of 18.5 hectares, but this has since expanded to approximately 30 hectares.
The fire has been smoldering in the Gentong Block, a part of the Mount Merapi National Park, based in Srumbung Resort, Ngablak Village, Srumbung District, Magelang Regency, Central Java.
The Head of the Mount Merapi National Park, Heri Wibowo, confirmed the fire's status on Wednesday night. He noted that the fire was initially spotted around 2:20 p.m. local time on Tuesday. The fire has primarily consumed pine trees, shrubs, and dry grass. Firefighting operations have been in progress since Tuesday, with involvement from the BTNGM, Magelang Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), fire department, military and police, Fire-Aware Community (MPA), and Forest-Care Community (PMH).
Despite the fire being largely extinguished by Wednesday evening, Heri Wibowo revealed that there are still smoldering embers and small fires remaining in the scorched area. This poses a challenge as pine trees are difficult to fully put out. As such, firefighting efforts are expected to continue on Thursday morning, with a focus on a thorough sweep to ensure no embers are left that could potentially reignite the fire. The source of the fire's ignition has not yet been determined.
Written by urgent.news from Tempo.co English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
