Bromo Fire Extinguished, Crews Focus on Cooling and Sweeping Operations

The wildfire in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) in East Java has been fully extinguished. Personnel are now focusing on intensive cooling and monitoring operations to prevent any resurgence of flames from residual embers in the burnt areas. Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni expressed his gratitude to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), local governments, volunteers, and the community for their extraordinary cooperation in helping to complete the firefighting process. Based on field monitoring conducted by Manggala Agni and the joint team, no active flames were detected as of Friday (14/8). However, officers still found embers in several burnt locations. The cooling and sweeping process is being carried out by the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Office (BBTNBTS) together with the East Java Province Forest and Land Fire Emergency Response Task Force 2026. This stage will continue until there is no further potential for fire. The cooling process aims to ensure that embers hidden among vegetation, soil, or other burnt materials are completely extinguished, as these embers could potentially reignite, especially under dry and windy conditions. Head of the Public Relations and International Cooperation Bureau at the Ministry of Forestry, Ristianto Pribadi, stated that the relatively controlled situation is the result of joint efforts involving BBTNBTS, Manggala Agni, the TNI, Polri, BNPB, BPBD, local governments, and the community. ‘Alhamdulillah, based on temporary monitoring, no active flames have been observed and the situation is relatively under control. This progress is the result of the hard work of field officers together with local governments, the TNI, Polri, BNPB, BPBD, Manggala Agni, the community, volunteers, and all related parties. However, we remain cautious because embers still exist and there is always a possibility of the fire re-emerging. The current focus is on completing the cooling process and tightening monitoring,’ said Ristianto. Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni previously conducted a direct inspection of the burnt area in Bromo. He instructed a comprehensive temporary closure of the TNBTS area so that all personnel could concentrate on extinguishing, cooling, and anticipating the possibility of new hotspots. Public and officer safety remains the top priority. Once the cooling process is complete, the task force will inspect public facilities and tourism infrastructure in the affected areas. The inspection is intended to ensure safety, feasibility, and readiness before the area is considered for reopening to visitors. ‘We understand that the public and tourism operators are awaiting information regarding the reopening of the area. However, this decision must be based on a thorough field evaluation. Cooling must be completed, the area’s condition must be confirmed safe, and tourism facilities must be inspected first. Visitor, community, and officer safety remains the primary consideration. Every development will be communicated openly through official channels,’ Ristianto stated. The Ministry of Forestry urges the public and tourists to wait for an official announcement regarding the reopening of the TNBTS area. Visitors who have purchased entry tickets through the online booking system for the closure period can apply for a refund or reschedule in accordance with the provisions and information provided through the official BBTNBTS channels. The Ministry of Forestry expressed its appreciation to all personnel, volunteers, and community members involved in handling the fire. The ministry also calls on the public not to engage in activities that could trigger fires and to immediately report any sightings of smoke, embers, or indications of fire within or around the TNBTS area to officers.