Spreading Wildfires Force Total Shutdown of Mount Bromo as El Niño-Driven Drought Escalates

MALANG, Investortrust.id — Indonesian national park authorities implemented a total, indefinite shutdown of Mount Bromo on Sunday, halting all tourism activities as spreading forest fires underlined the growing threat of a severe, El Niño-driven drought across the archipelago.

Speaking in an official statement released in Malang on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) Grand Hall Head Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha confirmed that all five entry gates across four East Java regencies were closed to visitors following a rapid expansion of the blaze late Saturday evening.

"To maximize fire suppression efforts and ensure visitor safety, tourist access to Bromo through all entry points is closed until further notice," Nugraha stated on Sunday.

The emergency closure of Mount Bromo—one of East Java’s primary tourism engines—serves as an early warning sign of the broader climate crisis sweeping Indonesia. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) recently confirmed that the current El Niño cycle has escalated to a "strong" category, drastically reducing rainfall and extending dry conditions through August and September. As water tables drop and vegetation dries out, the threat of forest and land fires is escalating sharply, threatening biodiversity, public health, and local economies reliant on agricultural and tourism revenues.

Severe Drought Amplifies Wildfire Risks

The flare-up at Mount Bromo comes as regions south of the equator—including Java, Bali, and the Nusa Tenggara islands—face acute dry spells well beyond historical baselines. BMKG officials have warned that reduced precipitation will persist until monsoon rains arrive in mid-October, leaving national parks and agricultural lands highly vulnerable to uncontrolled blazes.

The total shutdown covers all five official access gates: Cemorolawang in Probolinggo Regency, Wonokitri in Pasuruan Regency, Jemplang and Coban Trisula in Malang Regency, and Senduro in Lumajang Regency.

Operational footage published on the park's official social media channels showed flames burning along steep cliffs adjacent to the Tengger Caldera Ring Road. Park personnel on site confirmed that fire lines had extended toward nearby Mount Kursi, driven by dry winds and dense, parched brush.

Operational Suspensions and Visitor Refunds

Park officials urged all tour operators and local businesses to halt commercial operations inside the national park immediately to maintain emergency access routes and safeguard public safety.

To accommodate travelers impacted by the emergency order, the TNBTS authority announced that visitors with online bookings for the affected dates could submit claims for a full refund or reschedule their visits. Affected tourists are instructed to complete an official request form available on the park's online ticketing platform.