Indonesian authorities have closed off access to Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java province, following the rapid growth of a wildfire that has engulfed approximately 176 hectares (435 acres) of Mount Bromo since Monday. The park closure, announced on Saturday, is aimed at ensuring visitor and local safety as well as preserving nearby areas. Hundreds of firefighters, disaster management personnel, police, soldiers, park rangers, and volunteers have been mobilized to contain the blaze. Steep terrain, high winds, and forested locations have hampered ground operations, necessitating air support from water-bombing helicopters and water-spraying drones. The closure is expected to continue until further notice, and those with prepaid entrance tickets may seek refunds. Indonesia's unusually dry season this year, exacerbated by the El Nino weather pattern, has contributed to the intense wildfires that have scorched over 1,070 square kilometers (415 square miles) of Indonesian land so far in 2024. In 2023, a blaze consumed more than 500 hectares (1,235 acres) of Mount Bromo after a couple lit a flare during a wedding photo shoot.