Bromo Fire Extinguished, Crews Focus on Cooling and Sweeping Operations
The fire in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) area of East Java has been confirmed extinguished. Personnel are continuing cooling operations and intensive monitoring to prevent any resurgence from embers at the former burn site.
The Ministry of Forestry, under the leadership of Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni, expressed gratitude to BNPB/BPBD, the TNI, the National Police, regional governments, volunteers and the public for their outstanding cooperation in helping to complete the firefighting effort.
Based on field monitoring carried out by Manggala Agni and the joint team, as of Friday (14/8) no active flames were found at the site. However, personnel were still finding embers in a number of formerly burned areas.
The sweeping and cooling process is being carried out by the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Agency (BBTNBTS) together with the East Java Province Forest and Land Fire Emergency Response Task Force for 2026. This stage will continue until there is no further potential for fire.
Cooling is being conducted to ensure that embers still stored among vegetation, soil and burned material are completely extinguished. These embers have the potential to reignite, especially when influenced by dry weather and strong winds.
The Head of the Public Relations and Foreign Cooperation Bureau at the Ministry of Forestry, Ristianto Pribadi, said the relatively controlled fire situation was the result of joint work involving BBTNBTS, Manggala Agni, the TNI, the National Police, BNPB, BPBD, regional governments and the public.
“Alhamdulillah, based on interim monitoring, no active flames are being observed and the situation is currently relatively controlled. This development is the result of the hard work of personnel in the field together with regional governments, the TNI, the National Police, BNPB, BPBD, Manggala Agni, the public, volunteers and all relevant parties. However, we remain cautious because embers are still present and there is always the possibility of fire reappearing. The current focus is on completing cooling and tightening monitoring,” said Ristianto.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni is also known to have previously conducted a direct inspection of the burned site in Bromo. Minister Antoni instructed a complete temporary closure of the TNBTS area so that all elements could concentrate on extinguishing, cooling and anticipating the possibility of new fire spots. Public and personnel safety remains the top priority.
After the cooling process is complete, the task force will inspect public facilities and tourism service infrastructure in the affected area. The inspection is being carried out to ensure safety, facility suitability and area readiness before reopening to visitors is considered.
“We understand that the public and tourism operators are awaiting information about the reopening of the area. However, that decision must be based on the results of a thorough field evaluation. Cooling needs to be completed, the condition of the area must be confirmed safe, and tourism facilities must be inspected first. The safety of visitors, the public and personnel remains the main consideration. Every development will be communicated openly through official channels,” said Ristianto.
The Ministry of Forestry is urging the public and tourists to wait for an official announcement regarding the reopening of the TNBTS area. For visitors who have purchased TNBTS entry tickets through the online booking system for the closure period, refund or rescheduling requests can be made in accordance with the provisions and information provided through official BBTNBTS channels.
The Ministry of Forestry expressed appreciation to all personnel, volunteers and members of the public involved in handling the fire. The Ministry of Forestry also urged the public not to carry out activities that could trigger fires and to report immediately to officers if they find smoke, embers or indications of fire inside or around the TNBTS area.