The Torean hiking trail within Mount Rinjani National Park (TNGR) remains closed following an ongoing forest and land fire, forcing park authorities to redirect hikers away from their originally planned exit routes. Climbers who were still on the mountain and had initially chosen either the Senaru or Torean trails as their exit point are now being guided to descend via the Sembalun route instead.
Fire Has Burned Nearly 1,100 Hectares So Far
The forest fire, which has been raging for six consecutive days, has already affected an estimated 1,098.75 hectares of land within the national park. While firefighting teams have successfully extinguished several hotspots, active flames are still being monitored on the northern slope of Mount Sangkareang’s peak.
Astekita Ardiaristo, Head of the TNGR Administrative Subdivision, explained that the trail closure was implemented specifically to ensure visitor safety amid the ongoing blaze.
“For hikers who are still in the process of climbing and had previously chosen the Senaru or Torean trail as their exit point, they are being directed to reroute their journey through the Sembalun trail instead,” Astekita said on Sunday night, September 27, 2026.
Firefighting Progress and Remaining Hotspots
Combined firefighting teams have already succeeded in extinguishing flames in the Setampol Hill area and its surrounding vicinity. However, active fire is still visible in the Sangkareang Peak area along the Senaru hiking trail, indicating that containment efforts are still ongoing in that particular zone.
“Based on the latest developments as of today, fires in several sectors have been successfully extinguished. However, burning is still being monitored on the northern slope of Sangkareang Peak, so firefighting and monitoring efforts will continue,” Astekita explained.
Scope of the Damage Still Being Assessed
The Rinjani National Park Authority reports that the total area affected by the fire has reached 1,098.75 hectares. However, officials stress that this figure remains a preliminary estimate and will continue to be updated as field monitoring efforts progress and more accurate data becomes available.
Large-Scale Response Effort Underway
A total of 90 personnel and support staff have been deployed to handle the fire, stationed across multiple key locations including Setampol Hill, the Torean hiking trail, the Senaru sector, Post 3 Senaru, and areas leading toward Sangkareang Peak and Pelawangan Senaru.
“The equipment being used includes manual firefighting tools, drones, communication devices, four-wheeled and two-wheeled vehicles, field equipment, and logistical support, some of which also comes from TO [tourism operators],” Astekita detailed, highlighting the multi-pronged approach being taken to bring the fire under control.
Challenges Slowing Down Containment Efforts
Despite the scale of the response, firefighting efforts continue to face significant obstacles. Strong winds have been causing the fire to spread rapidly across the mountainous terrain, making containment considerably more difficult for ground crews.
Compounding the issue, the area’s vegetation, consisting of mountain savanna, shrubs, grass, and other organic material, remains extremely dry, making it highly susceptible to catching and sustaining flames.
Additionally, the fire’s location presents its own set of logistical challenges. The affected areas sit deep within remote, steep, and difficult-to-access mountainous terrain, which significantly slows down the mobilization of personnel, equipment, and essential supplies to the fire lines.
“Personnel safety remains the top priority when determining the timing of movement, access routes to fire points, and the firefighting methods being used,” Astekita emphasized, underscoring that crew safety continues to guide operational decisions even as the fire remains active.
What This Means for Hikers and Visitors
For anyone planning to hike Mount Rinjani in the near future, this closure serves as an important reminder to check official trail status updates before setting out, particularly given how quickly conditions can change due to wind patterns and dry vegetation. The Sembalun route currently remains the designated safe exit path for hikers already on the mountain, while both the Senaru and Torean trails stay closed until authorities determine it’s safe to reopen them.
Given the challenging terrain and ongoing wind conditions fueling the fire’s spread, officials have not provided a specific timeline for when the affected trails might reopen, and continued monitoring will likely determine next steps in the coming days.
