Wildfire grows in Indonesian national park

Jakarta, Aug 9: Indonesia sent airplanes and firefighters on Sunday to fight a blaze in a popular national park, one of a growing number of wildfires the country is battling during an unusually dry season. The largest fire reported this week has burned about 176 hectares (435 acres) of Mount Bromo, located within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java province, one of Indonesia’s best-known tourist destinations. Authorities closed the park to visitors Saturday and Rudijanta Tjahj, the park chief, said the shutdown would remain in effect until further notice. (AP)