East Java Forestry Agency: Mount Arjuno-Welirang Hiking Routes Closed Amid Forest Fire

Malang, East Java (ANTARA) – The East Java Provincial Forestry Agency (Dishut) has temporarily closed hiking routes on Mount Arjuno-Welirang, in the Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park (Tahura), because of a forest fire in the area.

“Correct, the Mount Arjuno-Welirang hiking routes have been closed,” East Java Forestry Agency head Jumadi said in a WhatsApp message received in Malang, East Java, on Saturday.

Under an announcement issued by the Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park Technical Implementation Unit (UPT), numbered 500.4.6.10/1886/123.7.2/2026, the hiking routes have been closed from 17 October 2026 until further notice.

He said the closure was intended to speed up efforts to extinguish the fire and ensure hikers’ safety.

“Some of the fire points are close to the hiking routes, but even where they are not, we have considered that the resources deployed alongside the community can focus on managing the incident,” he said.

A preliminary report from the Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park unit said the fire broke out in the park on Friday (16 October) at about 11am Western Indonesian Time (WIB).

The fire was located in Conservation Area Resort 03 Pasuruan, in Jatiarjo and Dayurejo villages, Prigen district, Pasuruan regency, East Java. The affected locations include Puthuk Bulak, Guo Gambir, Tungwulung, Anjat and Mount Ringgit.

The park said 27 people, including forest rangers, Manggala Agni fire crews and volunteers, were involved in tackling the blaze.

The response has involved creating firebreaks and manually extinguishing the fire in areas accessible to staff, namely Puthuk Bulak and Tungwulung.

An additional firefighting team was also prepared on 17 October to assist with the response.

The size of the area affected by the fire remains unknown.