September 4, 2026 | 04:06 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The East Java Major Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) has temporarily closed tourist visits to the Ijen Crater Nature Tourism Park (TWA) area following forest fires on Friday.
In a letter from the East Java BBKSDA dated September 4, 2026, it was announced that visits to the Ijen Crater TWA area located in Banyuwangi and Bondowoso Regencies had been closed due to forest fires.
"In order to minimize the risk to visitors, visiting activities in the Ijen Crater TWA area have been closed until an unspecified time," said the announcement letter signed by the Head of the East Java BBKSDA, Nur Patria Kurniawan, as quoted by ANTARA.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Banyuwangi Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Partana, said that forest fires had spread near the Pondok Bunder area, where the hiking trail to Ijen Crater begins. Therefore, the trail was temporarily closed.
He said that to strengthen supervision, a forest fire monitoring post has been set up in the Paltuding area. The post is supported by fire engines, BPBD operational vehicles, and personnel.
"In addition to handling from the ground, the Banyuwangi BPBD is also coordinating with the East Java Provincial BPBD to discuss the possibility of handling by air," Partana said.
According to Partana, the terrain in the Ijen Crater TWA area is quite difficult. Steep cliffs and ravines make it challenging for vehicles to access several fire points.
"Officers have also prepared around 15 jet pump units with a spray range of around 15 meters," he said.
Read: MUI Calls on Indonesian Muslims to Hold Rain Prayers Amid Wildfires
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Ijen Geopark Officially Joins UNESCO Global Geopark Network
11 September 2023
Ijen National Park in East Java Province has been officially included in the list of UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGG).
