September 4, 2026 | 11:37 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) stated that land and forest fires have spread across five mountainous areas in East Java Province, prompting the temporary suspension of climbing activities for visitor safety.
Acting Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information, and Communication Center, Berton SP Panjaitan, stated in Jakarta on Friday that monitoring as of this afternoon detected hotspots on Mount Semeru (Lumajang-Malang), Mount Wilis (Nganjuk-Kediri), Mount Ungup-Ungup (Banyuwangi-Bondowoso), Mount Arjuno Welirang (Pasuruan), and Bukit Sariwani (Probolinggo).
"A joint team from the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS), Grand Forest Park (Tahura), state forestry firm Perhutani, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), Manggala Agni, and volunteers continues to conduct ground operations against accessible hotspots," he said.
Berton explained that the largest forest and land fires to strike Mount Semeru since August 26, 2026, have scorched approximately 1,888.91 hectares of land in Ranukembang, Ranupane Village, along the Post 1 hiking trail, and west of Ranu Kumbolo.
Aerial firefighting efforts using the East Java Provincial Government's PK-DAP helicopter over Semeru were temporarily halted due to electrical system faults and water bucket failures, forcing teams to rely on manual suppression and firebreak construction across steep terrain.
Meanwhile, a fire on Mount Ungup-Ungup in Banyuwangi spread into the Bondowoso area, burning 20 hectares and prompting the decision to temporarily close the Ijen Crater Nature Reserve starting Friday, September 4.
This measure follows the closure of the Mount Semeru hiking trail, which TNBTS authorities implemented on August 26, 2026.
Elsewhere, he added that forest and land fires on Mount Wilis have scorched roughly 16 hectares of vegetation across Nganjuk and Kediri, while efforts to contain smoke plumes on the slopes of Mount Arjuno Welirang and Bukit Sariwani in Probolinggo remain hindered by steep topography.
In response to these incidents, the BNPB has urged residents and tourists to respect closures across mountain tourism destinations and strictly observe prohibitions against land burning that could further ignite blazes.
"The public is also requested to immediately report any fires or smoke plumes in forest zones to local authorities so they can be addressed promptly," Berton said.
Read: East Java's Ijen Crater Tourism Park Closes amid Wildfires
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