Fire in Ranu Kembang Block, Mount Semeru Climbing Route Fully Closed
The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Agency (BB TNBTS) has imposed a total closure of the Mount Semeru climbing route in East Java. The firm measure was taken following a forest fire that struck the Ranu Kembang block on Wednesday (26/8/2026).
Head of BB TNBTS, Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha, said the fire was located in a forest area directly adjacent to the main climbing route of Mount Semeru. “The forest fire that occurred on 26 August 2026 in the Ranu Kembang block around the Mount Semeru climbing route has led to the total closure of the route,” said Rudi, as he is known, in an official statement from Malang on Wednesday (26/8).
The closure was formally established through Announcement Letter Number PG.20/T.8/TU/HMS.01.07/B/08/2026 issued by BB TNBTS today. Rudi stressed that the closure will remain in effect until an unspecified date. The policy is intended to support the smooth progress of firefighting efforts on the ground and to facilitate the evacuation of climbers still in the Semeru area, with safety as the priority.
To address potential losses for climbers who have already purchased tickets, BB TNBTS has prepared a refund scheme as well as an option to reschedule climbs once the route officially reopens. Meanwhile, BB TNBTS confirmed that the Ranu Regulo tourist area was not affected by the fire and remains safe to visit.
The fire in the Ranu Kembang block has also been confirmed not to disrupt traffic between Malang Regency and Lumajang Regency. “The Malang-Lumajang access via Poncokusumo District (Malang) and Senduro District (Lumajang) remains passable,” Rudi explained.
BB TNBTS continues to urge all visitors, climbers and tourism service providers to jointly protect the conservation area from the threat of forest and land fires during the dry season. “By not carrying out activities that could create a source of fire, including lighting campfires, fireworks, flares, burning rubbish, or other activities that could potentially trigger a fire,” he concluded.