Mount Bromo Wildfire Expands Amid Indonesia's Fire Crisis

WHO:

ABC News - Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha is the park chief of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.

ABC News - Hundreds of firefighters, disaster management personnel, police, soldiers, park rangers, and volunteers are involved in combating the wildfires.

WHAT:

ABC News - A wildfire in Mount Bromo has burned about 176 hectares (435 acres).

ABC News - Authorities closed Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park to visitors on Saturday and the shutdown will remain in effect until further notice.

ABC News - A forest and land fire broke out in Central Java’s Banyumas Regency, triggered by land-clearing activities.

ABC News - A fire broke out in the Suryakencana Meadow area of Mount Gede Pangrango National Park, prompting temporary closure of hiking trails.

WHERE:

ABC News - The wildfire is located in Mount Bromo, within Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java province, Indonesia.

ABC News - Other wildfires have been reported in Central Java and West Java, Indonesia.

WHY:

ABC News - Dry weather, strong winds, and the El Niño weather pattern have increased fire risks during the peak dry season.

ABC News - Fires are often started illegally by plantation owners or traditional farmers to clear land for planting.

HOW:

ABC News - Indonesia has deployed airplanes, helicopters, and drones to combat the wildfires.

ABC News - Crews have built firebreaks to try to prevent the further spread of the fire.

ABC News - Difficult terrain, including steep volcanic slopes, has complicated firefighting efforts.

(UPDATED August 10, 2026 08:25 UTC)

A wildfire in Mount Bromo has burned approximately 176 hectares, prompting the closure of Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park until further notice. Hundreds of firefighters, disaster management personnel, police, soldiers, park rangers, and volunteers are actively working to combat the flames, which have been exacerbated by dry weather, strong winds, and the El Niño weather pattern. In addition to the fire at Mount Bromo, other wildfires have emerged in Central Java and West Java, with crews facing challenges due to difficult terrain, including steep volcanic slopes.