Indonesia’s Mount Bromo wildfire put out but new fires threaten in unusually dry season

A wildfire that burned 550 hectares in Indonesia's Mount Bromo National Park in East Java has been extinguished. However, new hotspots have been detected near the caldera, with authorities identifying approximately 20 hectares of new fires in surrounding areas. Gatot Soebroto, head of the local disaster mitigation agency, confirmed the extinguishment of the larger fire and the discovery of the new ones. Mount Bromo is an active volcano and a popular tourist destination known for its caldera. The national park spans over 50,000 hectares.

Indonesian authorities have closed Mount Bromo National Park in East Java due to a rapidly expanding wildfire. The park operator announced the closure on Saturday, barring all visitors until further notice to ensure safety. Hundreds of firefighters, disaster management personnel, police, soldiers, park rangers, and volunteers were mobilized on Sunday to combat the blaze, which had grown to approximately 176 hectares since breaking out on Monday. Water-bombing helicopters and drones were deployed to assist efforts. Officials cited the steep, forested terrain and strong winds as challenges for ground crews, making air operations essential for reaching inaccessible areas.

Indonesia is battling multiple wildfires during an unusually dry season, including a significant blaze in Mount Bromo National Park. On Sunday, August 8, 2026, hundreds of firefighters, supported by airplanes and helicopters, were deployed to combat the fire, which had already burned approximately 176 hectares. The park has been closed to visitors until further notice due to the ongoing efforts and difficult terrain. This incident is part of a broader trend of wildfires across Indonesia, exacerbated by dry conditions, strong winds, and the El Niño weather pattern. Other fires have been reported in Central and West Java, with some linked to land-clearing activities.