Bromo Fire Handling Requires Integrated Strategy
East Java Deputy Governor Emil Elestianto Dardak has emphasised that handling forest and land fires in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park requires the integrated involvement of many parties. This is due to the terrain characteristics around Mount Bromo, which are considered difficult and extreme for officers in the field.
“We coordinate together because the handling requires cooperation from all parties,” said Emil Dardak while directly inspecting the affected conditions in Probolinggo Regency on Sunday (9/8/2026).
During the inspection, Deputy Governor Emil was accompanied by a number of cross-agency officials.
Based on temporary monitoring, hotspots are still detected in several strategic locations, including the P30 area in Sumber District, Probolinggo Regency, up to the Penanjakan 1 area. The joint team is currently focusing on intensive sweeping to ensure no remaining embers could potentially trigger subsequent fires.
Temporary data shows the burned land area has reached around 520 hectares. The affected vegetation includes typical mountain grasslands and conservation plants, including edelweiss flowers, which are an icon of the area. However, the good news is that the fire reportedly did not reach the Lembah Watangan area or Teletubbies Hill.
Given the steep and hilly terrain, the joint team is implementing a combined firefighting strategy. Before being deployed, the team develops a plan based on wind direction and vegetation conditions in the field.
Emil Dardak acknowledged that the firefighting process is not easy. There are several main obstacles faced by officers in the field.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has asked the public not to play with fire in forest areas, especially during the peak of the dry season and the El Nino phenomenon.
Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has emphasised legal proceedings for those who trigger fires in Mount Bromo. The forest and land fire area has reached 520 hectares due to extreme weather.
The burned area in Mount Bromo has surged to 520 hectares due to strong winds and dry vegetation affected by frost. The joint team continues to carry out firefighting efforts.
The Probolinggo Tourism, Youth and Sports Office has confirmed that tourist destinations around Bromo such as the Glass Bridge and Seruni Point remain safe to visit despite the forest and land fires in the national park.
The East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency cannot yet confirm when Mount Bromo tourism will reopen due to forest fires that have spread to the savanna area and Mount Kursi.
Forest fires in the national park area have spread to 176 hectares due to strong winds. All access to Mount Bromo tourism has been completely closed since Saturday (8/8) evening.