Integrated Operation Deployed by Forestry Ministry to Extinguish Bromo Forest Fires
The Ministry of Forestry is continuing to deploy an integrated operation to tackle forest fires still burning within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) in East Java. Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, stressed that fires in conservation areas threaten not only the forest but also the lives of communities that depend on the area’s ecological functions. “Bromo is not just a tourist destination, but a conservation area that supports community life and provides a habitat for various plant and animal species. The fire must be brought under control, the cause uncovered, and the area restored. The community must also play a part in prevention by being mindful of activities around the area and immediately reporting any signs of fire,” he stated on Thursday.
As of Wednesday evening, the fire in the Watu Gede Block was not yet fully extinguished. Manggala Agni personnel, together with a joint task force, continue to battle on the ground to limit the fire’s spread and protect the conservation area from more extensive damage. The fire has affected savanna vegetation, mountain pines, ferns, and shrubs. Firefighting operations face challenges including steep slopes, rugged hills, highly flammable vegetation, and limited water sources. To support the operation, water is being supplied in stages using tanker trucks to points still accessible to personnel.
Initial indications of the fire were detected through the Ministry of Forestry’s Forest and Land Fire Monitoring System (SiPongi+), which receives and processes hotspot data from various satellites, including NASA-MODIS. On Tuesday, SiPongi+ detected a hotspot with medium confidence. This information was immediately verified through direct ground checks, allowing firefighting operations to be swiftly mobilised to localise the fire’s spread. The integrated control operation is being carried out by the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Agency (BBTNBTS) as the area manager, together with Manggala Agni for the Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara Region, supported by the Indonesian National Armed Forces, the National Police, the Probolinggo Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency, Fire Care Communities, and volunteers.
To ensure visitor safety and support the smooth running of firefighting operations, the BBTNBTS has temporarily closed tourist access via the Jemplang and Coban Trisula gates in Malang Regency and the Senduro gate in Lumajang Regency since 3 August 2026 at 10:00 PM until an unspecified time. Meanwhile, access through Cemoro Lawang and Wonokitri remains open on a limited basis only up to the Sea of Sand area, while the Savanna area is closed to all visitors. Head of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Agency, Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha, stated that securing the area is being carried out alongside firefighting efforts to ensure visitor safety and protect unaffected zones. The Head of the Forest Fire Control Brigade for the Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara Region, Bambang Setyo Antoko, said that personnel are continuously adapting firefighting strategies to the developing conditions on the ground, focusing on sectors with the highest potential for fire spread while prioritising the safety of all personnel on duty.