Ijen Crater Nature Tourism Remains Closed Despite Forest Fires Extinguished

Banyuwangi (ANTARA) - The Ijen Crater Nature Tourism (TWA) area remains temporarily closed to visitors following forest and land fires that have occurred since early September, even though the fires have been extinguished.

Since 4 September 2026, the East Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) has temporarily closed tourist visits to the Ijen Crater TWA area, located in the Banyuwangi and Bondowoso Regencies, to minimise risks to visitors.

“Tourist visits are still closed, and as of today, there has been no circular issued by the East Java BBKSDA,” said the Head of Ijen Crater TWA, Rusdi Santoso, when contacted in Banyuwangi, East Java, on Thursday.

He confirmed that the fires in the Ijen Crater TWA area, which is also famous for its crater lake and blue fire phenomenon, have been extinguished. Officers have also conducted mopping-up operations, scanning for embers and wetting areas prone to fire.

However, Rusdi continued, for the past three days, forest and land fires have occurred on the northern slopes of Mount Merapi Ungup-Ungup, specifically in the Pasewaran Block, which borders the nature reserve area.

“The fire is located within the North Banyuwangi Perhutani area, and it appears that as of today, it has not yet been extinguished due to the difficult terrain. This fire is at risk of spreading to the Mount Merapi Ungup-Ungup nature reserve area,” he said.