A forest fire in the Ranu Kembang Block area of Mount Semeru, East Java, has prompted the temporary closure of all hiking trails and the evacuation of hikers from the mountain.
The fire was detected on the night of Wednesday, 26 August 2026, in an area close to the Mount Semeru hiking route. Following the incident, the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) Authority ordered the closure of hiking access to the affected area to support firefighting operations and ensure the safety of visitors.
TNBTS Head Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha said the closure would remain in place until further notice.
“The closure is intended to facilitate the smooth operation of containment efforts, firefighting, and visitor evacuation,” he told Tempo on Thursday, 27 August.
According to the authority, 207 hikers and 20 registered guides were in the Ranu Kumbolo area when the fire was detected. Hikers were subsequently directed to leave the area using a route prepared by firefighting personnel.
170 Hikers Evacuated Safely
The TNBTS Agency later confirmed that approximately 170 hikers had been evacuated from the Mount Semeru area and were in safe condition.
TNBTS Public Relations Officer Endrip Wahyutama said the hikers were descending the mountain accompanied by Registered Mount Semeru Hiking Guides (PPGST).
“Currently, the approximately 170 hikers are in the process of descending, accompanied by PPGST guides; the situation is safe and orderly,” Endrip said when contacted on Thursday.
He explained that the hikers had previously been camping at Ranu Kumbolo, which is the only designated camping ground on Mount Semeru.
“Therefore, there are no other [camping] locations,” he said.
A team of guides and TNBTS personnel stationed in the Ranu Pani area had also moved up the hiking route to prepare for the hikers’ arrival and monitor their descent.
“This is to anticipate any issues that might arise during the hikers’ descent,” Endrip said.
The evacuation was carried out as part of the park authority’s response to the fire, with personnel assisting hikers as they made their way towards the Ranu Pani area.
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Mount Semeru Trails Remain Closed
The TNBTS Agency announced the complete closure of Mount Semeru’s hiking trails on Wednesday following the discovery of the forest fire in the Ranu Kembang Block.
The closure was formalised through Announcement Letter Number PG.20/T.8/TU/HMS.01.07/B/08/2026. The decision was made to support firefighting and containment operations while allowing authorities to safely evacuate visitors who remained within the Semeru area.
The affected forest area is located near the Mount Semeru hiking trail, prompting authorities to restrict access while firefighting and evacuation activities continue.
The hiking closure remains in effect indefinitely, with no reopening date announced by the TNBTS Authority.
Mount Semeru is one of Indonesia’s most active volcanoes and a popular destination for hikers. Visitors planning to climb the mountain should check the latest announcements from the TNBTS Authority before travelling, as access restrictions may remain in place while authorities respond to the fire.
