Surabaya, E. Java. The death toll from wildfires in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park in East Java has risen to six after a hotel security guard died from severe burn injuries, as fires continue to spread across nearby Mount Arjuno amid an unusually severe dry season.

Suraji, 44, died at Dr. Soetomo Regional General Hospital in Surabaya at noon on Friday, hospital spokeswoman Adin Niken Primasari confirmed, according to state news agency Antara.

Suraji, a security guard at Artotel, operated by  Mitra Indo Permai, suffered burns covering about 49% of his body, mainly across his face and chest. He also sustained inhalation injuries from breathing hot air and smoke and required mechanical ventilation during treatment.

His condition deteriorated on Friday morning after he developed septic shock, a life-threatening complication of severe infection that can impair blood circulation and vital organ function. Despite treatment for severe infections, lung complications, anemia, and other conditions, his condition continued to worsen.

Five other people had previously died during firefighting efforts in the national park on Oct. 15. They were Sukaris and Hendra Rony Wagiyanata, both staff members of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Authority; Wisnu Yuda Pratama, 25; Sefriel Ardiansyah, 19; and Munawi, a member of the Tengger Laut Pasir Fire Awareness Community. Wisnu and Sefriel worked at local hotels and had volunteered to help fight the fires.

East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa had previously announced plans to provide Rp 10 million ($600) in compensation to the family of each person who died while fighting the fires.

Fires Spread on Mount Arjuno

The wildfire emergency extends beyond the national park, with fires continuing to spread across Mount Arjuno, where difficult terrain and dry conditions have complicated firefighting efforts.

Flames have been visible along the mountain's summit, while thick smoke has covered its slopes. At one point, the fire approached within about 10 meters of Sepilar Temple, a historical site along the Mount Ringgit trail in the Arjuno mountain complex. A group of local volunteers from Candi Sepilar village managed to contain the flames before they reached the site.

East Java Deputy Governor Emil Elistianto Dardak said the situation had become increasingly difficult because some fires were burning at elevations above 1,500 meters, making it challenging for crews to reach the affected areas. He described this year's fires as more severe than those in 2024 because of extreme dry-season conditions.

The provincial government is deploying 53 Manggala Agni forest-fire personnel to Tahura R. Soerjo, a provincial-managed forest park encompassing part of the Arjuno area, supported by dozens of forestry department staff.

With helicopter-based water bombing operations focused on other areas, authorities are prioritizing the construction of firebreaks to prevent flames from spreading into neighboring forest areas.

“Three different agencies manage the affected forest areas: the Forestry Ministry, the state-owned forestry company Perhutani, and the provincial government, which manages the forest park. Each has its own operational resources, and we want to optimize those available in the provincial forest park,” Emil said on Friday.

The provincial government is also changing its firefighting system. Instead of assembling teams only after fires break out, it is establishing a permanent team that remains on standby daily to monitor conditions and prepare for potential outbreaks.

Under the division of responsibilities, the Forestry Ministry is focusing on Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Perhutani is handling fires in the areas under its management, and the provincial government is concentrating on Tahura R. Soerjo, including the Arjuno area.

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