Latimojong Fire Spreads, Sulawesi Hiking Route Stays Closed
The Mount Latimojong fire has spread to three hiking posts in South Sulawesi. The route remains closed, with no reopening date set.
ENREKANG, Indonesia — A wildfire on Mount Latimojong in South Sulawesi has burned for seven days and spread across a hiking route, keeping access to the mountain closed with no reopening date set. The blaze is still severe around Post 5 on the Red Route via Angin-angin hamlet, according to a local mountain guide.
The fire affects a mountain area in Enrekang regency, on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Thick smoke has risen above the route as flames spread toward Posts 4, 5 and 6, guide Sunardi told detikSulsel on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.
Fire reaches three hiking posts
Sunardi said the fire became visible again on Sunday, Oct. 11, and continued spreading along both sides of the trail. The account indicates the blaze remained active a week later.
“The fire has been burning for seven days and has spread to the left and right of the trail. Thick smoke can be seen rising at the site,” Sunardi said, according to detikSulsel.
The most severe area remains near Post 5, on the route through Angin-angin hamlet. No estimate of the burned area, cause of the fire or details of firefighting operations were provided in the available account.
The closure has direct consequences for people seeking access to the mountain, including hikers and nearby residents. With fire still spreading along the trail and smoke overhead, the route remains inaccessible while conditions are considered unsafe. Residents have opposed reopening it while active fire spots remain and the forest is very dry.
Closure follows an earlier fire
The hiking route has been closed since late August, after an earlier fire at the summit of Pentialloan on Aug. 18, 2026. Sunardi said that first fire occurred at an elevation of 2,650 meters on the Angin-angin route.
“It was closed in late August after the first fire at the summit of Pentialloan, 2,650 meters above sea level, on the Angin-angin route. Residents opposed reopening the Latimojong hiking route because there are still several fire spots and the forest is really dry,” Sunardi said.
Jasmin, head of Buntu Batu subdistrict in Enrekang, confirmed the hiking route was shut because of the forest and land fire. The closure remains in force indefinitely, according to the report.
No date has been announced for reopening the Red Route via Angin-angin. Sunardi said the most severe fire activity remained around Post 5.
