JAKARTA: (Bernama) Indonesian authorities have closed the hiking trail to Mount Semeru in East Java until further notice following a forest fire near the route on Wednesday (Aug 26).
The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) authority said the fire broke out at the Ranu Kembang block near the Mount Semeru hiking trail, prompting the immediate closure.
"The closure is being implemented to support efforts to control and extinguish the fire, as well as evacuate visitors who remain within the area, with their safety and security given priority,” it said in its latest social media post.
Mount Semeru, located in East Java and standing at 3,676 metres above sea level, is the highest mountain on the island of Java island and one of Indonesia’s active volcanoes.
The authority said hikers who had purchased entry tickets through the online booking system may apply for a refund or reschedule their visits after hiking activities resumed, with details of the procedures to be announced later.
Meanwhile, it said road access through the wider Semeru area between Malang and Lumajang remained open, while tourism activities at Ranu Regulo, near the main gateway to Mount Semeru, could continue as usual. - Bernama
