TEMPO.CO, Banyuwangi - The East Java chapter of the Natural Conservation Agency [BKSDA] has issued a circular announcing the reopening of Mount Ijen as of the early hours of Friday, April 6, 2018.
The Mount Ijen natural tourism park [TWA], which is renowned for its blue fire phenomenon, had been temporarily closed since March 22, 2018.
However, Mount Ijen TWA head Sigit Hari Wibowo, said there were certain rules tourists should abide by, including visiting hours from 4 a.m. till noon local time.
“Visitors can now climb the mountain,” Sigit said in Banyuwangi on Friday, adding that tourists, however, were barred from descending near the crater within a radius of one kilometer. The Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center [PVMBG] said this was because the possible gas explosion around the crater.
Read: 5 Interesting Places Around Mount Ijen Banyuwangi
The same goes to sulfur miners. “The miners have begun their activities near the crater today,” he said.
East Java BKSDA region V chief, Sumpena, said tourists visiting Mount Ijen must comply with a set of rules. “For instance, using a mask,” he said.
Sumpena said he had deployed personnel up to the mountain’s peak—at the gate towards the crater. “We still keep an eye on potential poisonous gas spouting out from the crater, and keep the tourists away from the crater” he added.
Mount Ijen was previously closed in the wake of an explosion from the crater, which was followed by poisonous gas.
DAVID PRIYASIDHARTA
