A wildfire has spread across the Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park on Indonesia's Java island, burning about 520 hectares of grassland and forest, authorities said on Monday.
Mount Bromo, an active volcano and one of Indonesia's best-known tourist attractions, has been closed to visitors as dry weather and strong winds fuel the flames. About 300 hectares burned on Saturday evening alone, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said during a visit to the area on Sunday.
"Much of the park's savanna had already been burnt," he told local television.
The 2,300-metre volcano and surrounding areas will remain closed until authorities consider conditions safe. The restrictions are also intended to prevent visitors from interfering with firefighting efforts.
The cause of the fire remains unclear. Authorities have not ruled out human activity, but East Java Deputy Governor Emil Dardak said the affected land was not used for farming, leaving no obvious reason for farmers to burn vegetation to clear land.
The government has deployed a helicopter for water-bombing operations.
Mount Bromo, known for its volcanic landscape and expansive savanna, is one of Indonesia's most visited natural attractions. The national park also includes Mount Semeru, the country's highest mountain and one of its most active volcanoes.