The threat of forest and land fires is high, nine climbing areas are closed

JAKARTA, GARISBUMI.com – The Ministry of Forestry is temporarily closing hiking trails in nine conservation areas starting Tuesday, September 1 2026. The closure is carried out to anticipate forest and land fires at the peak of the dry season.

This policy is stated in Circular Letter Number SE.4/KSDAE/SKSDAE/KSA.02.02/B/8/2026 dated 31 August 2026 concerning Temporary Closure and Limited Opening of Mountain Climbing Tourism in Nature Reserve Areas and Nature Conservation Areas.

The Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation at the Ministry of Forestry, Satyawan Pudyatmoko, said that determining area status is based on the level of fire vulnerability and control capabilities in the field.

“Very dry weather conditions in the dry season increase the accumulation of natural fuel on climbing routes, so that human interaction activities are vulnerable to triggering the emergence of Hotspots,” said Satyawan in an official statement from the Ministry of Forestry, Monday, August 31 2026.

The nine areas closed are Mount Semeru in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Kerinci Seblat National Park, Mount Ciremai National Park, Tambora National Park, Manusela National Park, Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park, Mount Gede Pangrango National Park, Gunung Leuser National Park, and Lorentz National Park.

Closures in Lorentz National Park apply to the Ilaga, Tsinga, Sugapa and Ugimba trails.

“This status setting, whether limited open or temporarily closed, is a form of government caution to prevent the slightest potential for fire while maintaining the safety of visitors,” said Satyawan.