Forest Fires Encircle Mount Argopuro, Wildlife Sanctuary Closed
Forest and land fires (karhutla) have reportedly struck the Mount Argopund area within the Hyang Highland Wildlife Sanctuary, which sits on the border of four regencies in East Java: Situbondo, Bondowoso, Probolinggo, and Jember.
The Head of Emergency and Logistics at the East Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Satriyo Nurseno, stated that the first fire spot was detected approximately 300 metres from the eastern side of the Cikasur Savanna region.
“There is a fire spot located 300 metres from the eastern side of the Cikasur area, Mount Argopuro,” said Satriyo on Tuesday (8/9).
The fire locations are concentrated in two points: the eastern side of Cikasur Savanna in Kupang, Pakem District, Bondowoso Regency, and the eastern side of Cikasur Savanna in Kalianan, Krucil District, Probolinggo Regency.
Satriyo noted that 29 personnel from a joint task force, including the East Java Provincial BPBD, Situbondo Regency BPBD, and the East Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA), have been deployed to conduct manual firefighting efforts.
Satriyo mentioned that the most accessible route for handling the situation at present is through Situbondo Regency. He confirmed that there have been no casualties, while the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
In addition to firefighting, Satriyo stated that the joint team is currently conducting assessments and coordinating with local village officials.
“There are no casualties; meanwhile, the impact is still being recorded,” he said.
Meanwhile, the East Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) has officially closed all visiting activities to the Hyang Highland Wildlife Sanctuary, which covers the regions of Probolinggo, Situbondo, Jember, and Bondowoso.
The closure is stipulated in announcement number PG. 2266/K.2-BIDTEK/KSA.04.01/B/9/2026, effective from 7 September 2026, for an indefinite period.
The Head of BBKSDA East Java, Nur Patria Kurniawan, stated that the area closure was implemented alongside the deployment of joint personnel to extinguish the flames.
“The closure has been implemented, and 21 joint personnel from BBKSDA East Java, along with motorcycle taxi drivers, tourism operators, and local actors, have been fighting the fire since yesterday,” said Nur Patria.
Nur Patria added that as of this afternoon, his office has not received the latest reports from the field due to communication signal difficulties at the fire site.
“There are no updates this afternoon because the signal there is difficult,” he said.