Malang, E Java, Aug. 9 -- The Indonesian government has closed all tourist access to Mount Bromo in East Java indefinitely as a wildfire spreads across the national park, allowing crews to focus on firefighting amid worsening conditions.

The full closure took effect at 10 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (1500 GMT) on Saturday, August 8, the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park office said, with tourist activities suspended indefinitely.

"To ensure the effectiveness of the firefighting operations, all entrance gates to Mount Bromo are strictly closed to tourists," park chief Rudijanta Tjahja Nugraha said, as authorities sought to protect visitors and staff.

He said the decision followed rapidly deteriorating conditions as the wildfire spread ...