Forest and Land Fires in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Expand to 520 Hectares
Forest and land fires in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) area in East Java have expanded to approximately 520 hectares. The Ministry of Forestry is strengthening its response through integrated operations supported by aerial firefighting.
Director of Forest and Land Fire Control at the Ministry of Forestry, Thomas Nifinluri, stated that based on data as of 9 August 2026, the burnt area in the TNBTS region was identified as covering around 520 hectares. “For the national park area, one of the current concerns is the forest and land fires in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. Based on data from 9 August 2026, the identified burnt area is around 520 hectares,” Thomas said on Monday (10/8).
The response is being carried out through integrated operations involving the Manggala Agni fire brigade, the TNBTS Centre, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB), the Fire Care Community (MPA), the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), and the Indonesian National Police (Polri). To reach locations that are difficult to access due to heavy topography, the operation is being reinforced with two water bombing helicopters and a helicopter drone sprayer.
Thomas added that meteorological conditions are also being continuously monitored to determine the possibility of implementing Weather Modification Operations (OMC). “Weather Modification Operations are also being considered for implementation by continuously monitoring meteorological conditions,” he said.
In addition to TNBTS, a fire also occurred in the Mount Merapi National Park area. According to reports as of 9 August 2026, a fire covering 0.2 hectares was successfully extinguished by integrated field officers. Thomas noted that these conditions highlight the importance of fire prevention in conservation areas with high biodiversity. Early detection and rapid response are being strengthened to prevent fires from spreading. “Our principle is that fires must be handled as early as possible so they do not spread and threaten the ecosystem and vital objects within the national park area,” he stressed.
East Java Vice Governor Emil Dardak reviewed the firefighting efforts at Bromo. The closure of four tourist entry points to Mount Bromo since Saturday (8/8) has begun to impact the local economy. Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni urged the public not to play with fire in forest areas, especially during the peak of the dry season and the El Niño phenomenon, and affirmed that legal proceedings would be pursued against the fire’s instigators.