A forest fire that started on the Pasewaran side of Ijen, in Kalipuro district, on 2 September 2026 spread towards Pondok Bunder on the hiking route two days later. East Java's conservation agency closed the Kawah Ijen nature park on 4 September, and it stayed shut until 28 September.
What happened
Banyuwangi declared a 14-day disaster emergency from 4 to 17 September, and a water-bombing helicopter was sent to Paltuding, the trailhead. By 17 September the head of the park said the fire inside the park was out, but the crater stayed closed while a separate fire was still burning on nearby Merapi Ungup-Ungup. Online ticket sales restarted on 25 September, and the park reopened on 28 September.
What this means for your trip
The closure is over. The hiking gate opens at 2 am again, and tickets are sold online only, through the Ministry of Forestry's AyoKeTamanNasional site. They cannot be cancelled, moved or refunded, so book once your dates are firm, and make sure the name matches your passport.
You also need a health certificate issued no more than three days before your visit. Bring a torch, a mask and warm clothes, and do not light fires of any kind on the mountain.
Will it close again?
The park closes on the first Friday of every month for Ijen Rijik, a clean-up day, so check the calendar before you book. It can also close at short notice for weather or volcanic activity. Our guide to Ijen Crater has the visiting rules, and the Bali to Ijen guide explains how to plan the trip around closures.
