Politics · Indonesia · 1 hr ago
Central Java Urges Temporary Closure of Mountain Hiking Routes Amid Fires
Central Java officials have urged a temporary closure of hiking routes across the province after forest and land fires broke out on several mountains.
The fires have affected Mount Lawu, Mount Sumbing and Mount Pakuwaja in the Dieng area.
Officials suspect human error may have caused the fires on Lawu and Sumbing, but described this as an initial assessment.
The restrictions are intended to reduce danger to hikers and protect forests, especially during a declared drought and fire emergency.
A fire on Mount Sumbing led to the evacuation of 152 hikers who were in the area.
Crews are fighting the Lawu fire by land and air, while authorities have requested that a helicopter be moved from Lawu to Sumbing for water-bombing operations.
Officials say two military helicopters are being prepared to support firefighting on Lawu and Sumbing through the national disaster agency.
Central Java has urged temporary closure of all mountain hiking routes amid fires on Mount Lawu, Mount Sumbing and Mount Pakuwaja.
The provincial environment and forestry agency issued the request in a letter dated October 21, 2026.
Authorities said the fires could endanger hikers, forests and the environment, and initial indications pointed to human error.
Firefighting efforts on Mount Lawu and Mount Sumbing include ground operations and plans for water bombing by helicopter.
A total of 152 hikers were in the Mount Sumbing area during a fire and had to be evacuated.
- Who
- The Central Java provincial government and its environment and forestry agency urged mountain route managers to close hiking routes temporarily.
- What
- The request covers all mountain hiking routes in Central Java, alongside limits on activities on the slopes of Mount Lawu and Mount Sumbing.
- When
- The agency’s letter was dated October 21, 2026. The request was reported on October 23, 2026.
- Where
- Central Java, Indonesia, including Mount Lawu, Mount Sumbing and Mount Pakuwaja in the Dieng area.
- Why
- Fires have spread into mountain forest areas, posing risks to hikers, ecosystems and the environment. Authorities said initial indications suggested human error.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Central Java’s environment and forestry agency issued a letter requesting temporary closure of mountain hiking routes.
Central Java disaster agency acting head Bergas Catursasi Penanggungan said authorities were seeking to limit activity on the mountains and prevent the use of fire.
Fire response on Mount Lawu included ground and air operations, while authorities sought to move a helicopter to Mount Sumbing for planned water bombing.
- Letter date
- October 21, 2026
- Agency letter
- S/500.4/891/2026
- Mounts named for closure
- Lawu, Merbabu, Sumbing, Sindoro and Slamet, among others
- Hikers evacuated
- 152 from the Mount Sumbing area
- Fire distance
- A Mount Lawu fire point was 5 kilometers from residential areas
- Helicopters
- Two military helicopters were prepared to support firefighting operations by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency
What people are saying
The fires on Mount Lawu and Sumbing are suspected to have been caused by human error. That is the initial suspicion.
Both Mount Lawu, Mount Merbabu, Mount Sumbing, Mount Sindoro, and Mount Slamet and others should temporarily close their hiking entrances.
Considering that incident, we coordinated with the Central Java Police to close all hiking routes in Central Java.
There are also two helicopters from the military that will be operated by the National Disaster Mitigation Agency.