August 20, 2026 | 11:18 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Geological Agency of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) has confirmed that the smoke plume observed on the upper southern slopes of Mount Raung, East Java, was caused by a wildfire rather than volcanic activity or an eruption.
Acting Head of the Geological Agency Lana Saria stated in Jakarta on Thursday that the smoke plume was first spotted on Wednesday, August 19, at 6:30 a.m. WIB and was seen drifting and spreading by 1:06 p.m. WIB.
"Based on the observed characteristics of the plume's spread, location, and color, it is suspected that the phenomenon was caused by a land fire," she said.
Lana explained that visual observations of Mount Raung over the past two weeks revealed only gas and water vapor emissions under fluctuating pressure, reaching a maximum height of 500 meters above the peak, with no eruptive activity producing volcanic material.
Furthermore, seismic recordings were dominated by surface emission tremors caused by gas pressure releases, with no detected increase in seismic activity that would signal magma moving toward the surface.
The Geological Agency has maintained Mount Raung's status at Level II (Alert/Waspada), covering Banyuwangi, Jember, and Bondowoso regencies, which has remained in effect since December 19, 2023.
Consequently, Lana urged residents and tourists to refrain from any activity within a three-kilometer radius of the active summit crater to avoid potential risks from high concentrations of toxic volcanic gases.
Read: Indonesia Mobilizes Task Force to Fight Fires Across 107,000 Hectares
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Mount Raung Erupts Again This Morning, Hiking Trails Closed
19 Juni 2025
Mount Raung in East Java reportedly erupted again on Thursday morning, June 19, 2025.
Mount Raung Sees Overnight Eruptions, Ash Columns Reaching 1,500 Meters High
14 Juni 2025
Mount Raung in East Java erupted again on Saturday afternoon, June 14, 2025.
Indonesia's Mount Raung Erupts Five Times in the Past Week
12 Juni 2025
Indonesia's Mount Raung has been reported to erupt again on Wednesday, with an observed eruption column height of approximately 750 meters.
East Java's Mount Raung Spews Thick White Plume 1,000 Meters High
13 Mei 2025
A report on the recent volcanic activity of Mount Raung in Indonesia.
East Java's Mount Raung Erupts, Sends Ash 1.5 Kilometers Above Summit
13 Maret 2025
Mount Raung in Indonesia's East Java Province erupted on Thursday morning, March 13, sending an ash column approximately 1,500 meters above the summit
KAI Jember Serves 20,000 Passengers Amid Mount Raung Eruption
24 Desember 2024
The eruption of Mount Raung did not have much impact on the operation of KAI in Daop 9 Jember.
Indonesian Geological Agency Records Increase in Seismic Activity from Mount Raung
18 Desember 2024
Indonesian Geological Agency says the seismic activity of Mount Raung is still being monitored to be increasing.
Mount Raung's Alert Status Increased after Sudden Eruption
29 Juli 2022
The Geological Agency has raised the alert status of Mount Raung in East Java from normal to caution (Waspada) starting at 8 a.m. today, July 29.
Mount Raung in East Java Erupts
28 Juli 2022
Mount Raung in East Java suddenly erupted on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at 17:19 western Indonesian time or WIB.
Mount Raung Eruption Weakens; Airport Reopens in East Java
15 Februari 2021
Banyuwangi Airport in East Java has been reopened following a one-week shutdown caused by Mount Raung volcanic activity.
