Mount Lawu forest fires spread to Ngawi, hiking routes closed

Forest fires on the slopes of Mount Lawu have spread from Magetan Regency into the Ngawi Regency area. While fire hotspots in the Magetan region, specifically within the Perhutani pine forest areas of RPH Bedagung, have been extinguished, the flames have moved toward Ngawi.

In response to the situation, Perhutani has temporarily closed the Mount Lawu hiking route via the Cemoro Sewu gate in Plaosan District, Magetan, for an indefinite period to ensure climber safety. The closure is a precautionary measure due to dry vegetation and wind conditions that could facilitate further spread.

Emergency response efforts in Magetan involved coordinated actions by the police, military (TNI), Perhutani, the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), and local residents. Firefighters utilized manual methods, such as the ‘gepyok’ technique—striking the fire source with simple tools to break the spread through vegetation—to control the blaze in difficult terrain.