Forest fires expand on mountain slopes, Ijen Crater Nature Tourism Park closed

The forest and land fires (karhutla) affecting the Ijen Mountain area on the border of Bondowoso and Banyuwangi Regencies, East Java, which began on Thursday night (03/09), continued to expand through Friday (04/09).

The fire has become increasingly uncontrollable; having initially burnt the Marapi Ungup-ungup mountain area, it has now spread into the Ijen Crater Nature Tourism Park (TWA) area. Consequently, the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has temporarily closed the Ijen Nature Tourism Park to ensure the safety of tourists and sulphur miners.