Indonesia Temporarily Closes Mount Bromo Following Forest Fire

RRI.CO.ID, Probolinggo – The Indonesian government has temporarily closed access to Mount Bromo, one of the country's most renowned natural tourist destinations, following a forest fire that has affected the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park area in East Java since early August 2026. The Ministry of Tourism stated that the safety of tourists, staff, and local communities was the primary reason behind this decision.

The Ministry emphasized its full support for the closure and stated it would remain in effect until local authorities declare the area completely safe for visitation. Tourists are urged not to attempt travel to the closed area and are advised to stay updated via official information from the national park management.

According to official data, 3,062 people had purchased tickets online for the period of August 9–15, 2026, prior to the closure. Of this total, 2,671 were domestic tourists, and 391 were international tourists.

For tourists with scheduled visits between August 9 and 11, 2026, the government is offering two options: rescheduling at no extra cost or a full refund. The rescheduling option is valid until December 31, 2026, while refunds will be transferred directly to the tourist's bank account or digital wallet.

To submit a request, tourists simply need to fill out the official online form and upload proof of their ticket or payment for verification purposes. For further information, tourists can check the official Instagram account of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Agency (@bbtnbromotenggersemeru) or contact customer support at 085117788005 or 085158891328.

Unlike national park entry tickets, the accommodation sector does not yet have a specific policy regarding cancellations. According to the Ministry of Tourism, hotels and lodgings around Bromo are currently applying standard refund and rescheduling rules in accordance with their respective individual policies.

The government describes this incident as a reminder that natural tourist destinations are fragile ecosystems requiring collective preservation by all parties. Once the situation is under control, the Ministry of Tourism has pledged to coordinate with local stakeholders to restore tourism activities and the livelihoods of communities dependent on the Bromo area.