Indonesia Closes Mount Bromo National Park as Wildfire Grows
Indonesia closed Mount Bromo National Park until further notice. A growing wildfire in the park caused the closure.
Strong winds and rough terrain are slowing firefighters. The fire has burned about 176 hectares so far.
Some hotspots are on steep volcanic slopes. Those slopes are hard for firefighters to reach.
Dry plants and seasonal winds from Australia are spreading the fire faster. Indonesia is facing a growing wildfire threat this year.
This is happening during an unusually dry season. Leaders warn drought and strong winds are raising fire risks.
The El Niño weather pattern is also increasing risks. These risks are spreading across the country.
Klear Note — El Niño can make Indonesia’s dry season drier. National parks may close during fire threats to protect people and nature.
Key Terms 3
- Mount Bromo An active volcano and national park in East Java, Indonesia.
- El Niño A weather pattern that can cause drier conditions in some regions.
- hectares A unit of land area, roughly the size of a large field.