Fire Hotspots Emerge in Tahura, Mount Arjuno-Welirang Climbing Reportedly Closed

The East Java Provincial Forestry Service has closed all climbing activities on Mount Arjuno-Welirang after discovering fire hotspots within the supervision area of the Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park (Tahura).

Head of the East Java Forestry Service Jumadi, when contacted on Wednesday (19/8), had not yet provided a detailed explanation regarding the closure of the climbing routes. He said he was still at the location.

Jumadi said he was at the Sumber Brantas Post and was dispatching a team to the Lengkehan Valley of Mount Arjuno to carry out handling.

“I am currently at the Sumber Brantas Post and am dispatching a team to climb to Lengkehan Valley,” said Jumadi.

However, a circulating letter stated that the closure was implemented after a forest fire occurred on 18 August 2026. The policy was based on an announcement letter issued by the UPT Tahura Raden Soerjo Number 500.4.6.10/1276/123.7.2/2026.

The condition has impacted climbing activities on Mount Arjuno-Welirang. Climbing routes in the Tahura Raden Soerjo area are temporarily closed starting Wednesday (19/8/2026) until an unspecified time.

For the time being, handling is being carried out by a joint team from the East Java BPBD, Pasuruan and Mojokerto Regency. The detection results of the East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) team detected at least three fire hotspots in the mountainous area on Wednesday (19/8), prompting the East Java Forestry Service to take the step of temporarily halting routes to the summit of Mount Arjuno-Welirang.