Mount Bromo was closed to all tourists after a large wildfire spread across Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java.
The complete closure came into effect on August 8, 2026, at 10:00 PM and applies to all entrances to the Bromo area. However now, as of August 20, the park reopened again.
If Mount Bromo is part of your upcoming East Java itinerary, here is what you need to know about the closure, ticket refunds and what to do with your travel plans.
August 20 Update: Mount Bromo Has Reopened
Update August 20, 2026: Mount Bromo is open to tourists again after being closed for almost two weeks due to the large wildfire in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.
The main Bromo tourist area officially reopened at 00:01 WIB on August 20, after authorities confirmed that the fire had been fully extinguished. Before reopening the park, teams continued cooling burned areas, checking for remaining hotspots and monitoring the affected terrain to make sure it was safe for visitors.
Tourists are already returning to the area, including the usual Bromo attractions and routes inside the national park.
The wildfire started on August 3 and eventually led to the complete closure of all tourist access to Bromo from August 8. Firefighting operations continued for 13 days and involved ground crews, helicopters, water bombing and extensive cooling and monitoring.
If you are planning to visit Bromo now, you no longer need to rearrange your itinerary because of the wildfire closure. However, the fire affected a large part of the national park, so some sections of the landscape may look very different from before.
Visitors are also being reminded to be especially careful with any potential source of fire. The vegetation around Bromo is very dry during the dry season, and even a small fire can spread quickly in strong winds.
If you had an official Bromo ticket for a date affected by the closure, TNBTS previously allowed visitors to request either a refund or reschedule their visit. Refund and reschedule requests for affected bookings can still be relevant depending on your original travel date and booking status.
If you were planning a future visit, our Mount Bromo guide for independent travelers is still useful once the area reopens.
What Happened at Mount Bromo?
The wildfire started on August 3, 2026, in the Bantengan area and gradually spread through the national park.
Firefighters have had a difficult job containing it. Some hotspots are located on steep slopes that are difficult to reach from the ground, while strong winds and very dry vegetation have helped the fire spread more quickly.
Hundreds of firefighters, park rangers, police, soldiers, disaster response teams and volunteers have been involved. Helicopters have also been used for water bombing, together with drones and ground firefighting operations.
Reports about the exact size of the burned area currently vary. Reuters, AP and Indonesian authorities reported around 176 hectares affected on August 9, while newer local estimates have put the area at around 500 hectares or more. The situation is still developing, so these numbers may continue to change.
Authorities have not yet officially confirmed the cause of the fire.
When Will Mount Bromo Reopen?
Mount Bromo officially reopened on August 20, 2026, at 00:01 WIB, after being completely closed to tourists since August 8.
Can You Get a Refund for Mount Bromo Tickets?
Theoretically, yes. If you already bought an official Bromo entrance ticket through the TNBTS online booking system for a date affected by the closure, the national park is offering two options:
- reschedule your ticket
- request a refund
According to TNBTS, affected visitors need to complete a special form provided through the admin of the official online booking system. Instructions are being sent through the booking portal.
Backindo Tip: At the moment, it seems that the form is in Indonesian only. So the refund and reschedul options might be different for foreign and local visitors. For more information, you can chat the admin directly via WhatsApp 085117788005 / 085158891328.
If you booked Bromo as part of a tour, jeep package or through a third-party platform, contact the company you booked with directly. Their cancellation and refund conditions may be different from the official national park ticket policy.
What Should You Do If Bromo Is in Your Itinerary?
It depends mostly on how soon you are traveling.
If you’re visiting in the next few days
We would start looking at alternatives rather than waiting until the last minute.
Bromo is often part of a route connecting Malang, Tumpak Sewu, Bromo and Kawah Ijen, so removing one stop can affect transport, hotels and drivers further along your itinerary.
Before cancelling everything, look at the route as a whole. For example, you could spend more time around Malang, explore the beaches along the southern coast, visit the Wonosari tea plantations and nearby temples, add an extra day around Tumpak Sewu, continue towards Ijen earlier, or simply slow the route down instead of replacing Bromo with another long detour.
Looking for a trustworthy private driver in East Java? Send us a message at hello@backindo.com and we’ll happily share contacts of drivers we personally recommend.
If your trip is still a few weeks away
Keep your itinerary for now, but avoid making new non-refundable bookings specifically around Bromo until there is more clarity. Check the latest update shortly before your trip.
Don’t Just Replace Bromo With the Nearest Attraction
When an important stop suddenly closes, it can be tempting to find another attraction nearby and squeeze it into the same day. But on Java, distances can be misleading.
Changing Bromo can also change:
- where it makes sense to sleep
- whether you should travel through Malang or Probolinggo
- when to visit Tumpak Sewu
- when to continue towards Banyuwangi and Kawah Ijen
- whether an existing driver or train booking still makes sense
In many cases, rearranging the route is better than trying to find a direct replacement for Bromo.
If you’re already in East Java, check which bookings are refundable first and then rebuild the route around the places that are still open.
Planning your East Java route? If you're not sure how to combine Bromo with Tumpak Sewu, Ijen or Malang without spending unnecessary hours on the road, feel free to send us a message at hello@backindo.com.
Where to Check the Latest Mount Bromo Updates
Because the situation is changing quickly, check the official Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) instagram before traveling.
The official TNBTS website also links to the national park’s online booking system, but is in Indonesian only.
We will update this article when there is confirmed information about the reopening.