How Big Is the Fire Ravaging Mount Merapi? - Tempo.co English

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Forest fires ravage the Mount Merapi National Park (TNGM), adding to the list of blazes that have broken out across various regions in Indonesia. The latest hotspot on Mount Merapi is located in the Gentong Block, Srumbung Resort, Ngablak Village, Srumbung District, Magelang Regency, Central Java.

The fire, which sparked on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, is still smoldering today, Wednesday, September 23, 2026.

The area affected also expanded from 18.5 hectares on the first day to approximately 30 hectares today.

"The fire has been burning in the Gentong Block for two days," confirmed the Head of the Mount Merapi National Park (BTNGM), Heri Wibowo, on Wednesday night.

Heri explained that the fire was first discovered around 2:20 p.m. local time on Tuesday. The fire is located in the Gentong Block or Cakruk Gentong, Jurangjero. The burned vegetation is dominated by pine trees, shrubs, and dry grass.

Firefighting efforts have been underway since Tuesday, involving personnel from the BTNGM, the Magelang Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the fire department, the military and police, the Fire-Aware Community (MPA), and the Forest-Care Community (PMH).

According to Heri, the fire was successfully put out on Wednesday evening, but some smoldering embers and small fire remain in the burned area. He explained that the pine vegetation has proven to be a challenge to completely extinguish the fire.

"The fire has died, but there are remnants of small fires and embers remain because pine trees are difficult to extinguish," Heri said.

Officers will continue the firefighting efforts on Thursday morning despite the successful extinguishing efforts. "The team will conduct another sweep and ensure there are no embers that could potentially reignite the fire."

The cause of the fire has not been disclosed.