Bromo Forest Fire Spreads, 7.9 Hectares Destroyed and Access Restricted

A forest and land fire on Mount Bromo has expanded, burning an area of 7.9 hectares from the Bantengan Block in Lumajang Regency to the Watu Gede area in Probolinggo Regency. Head of the Probolinggo Regency Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Oemar Sjarief, confirmed that the fire is still active and spreading eastward, with the potential for the burnt area to increase as the flames have not been fully extinguished.

“BPBD Probolinggo personnel are conducting firefighting operations in the Mount Bromo area, between the Bantengan Block and Pusung Jantur. The fire has entered the administrative area of Sariwani Village, Sukapura District, Probolinggo Regency,” he stated via telephone on Tuesday.

Rapid Response Team personnel from BPBD Probolinggo, alongside teams from BPBD East Java, Perhutani, the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) Agency, the military, police, and volunteers, are working together to extinguish the fire. Firefighting efforts are being hampered by the steep terrain and strong winds, forcing personnel to rely on basic tools such as backpack sprayers and fire beaters.

“The joint team continues to monitor the situation, create firebreaks to prevent further spread, and prepare equipment for fire prevention measures within the TNBTS area to stop it from expanding,” he added.

By Tuesday afternoon, the fire front heading towards Probolinggo had been extinguished, but officers remain on high alert to anticipate any flare-ups caused by strong winds. In response to the incident, the TNBTS Agency has closed several tourist access points to Mount Bromo, including the Jemplang and Coban Trisula entrances in Malang Regency and the Senduro entrance in Lumajang Regency, to maximise firefighting efforts and ensure visitor safety.

The closures, which took effect on Monday at 10:00 PM local time, will remain in place until further notice. Tourists can still visit Mount Bromo via the Cemoro Lawang entrance in Probolinggo Regency and the Wonokitri entrance in Pasuruan Regency, but access is limited to the Sea of Sand area. Visitors are strictly prohibited from entering the savanna zone due to the danger posed by the ongoing fire.