Bali News｜September 6, 2026
🌋 Ijen Volcano Fully Closed Due to Wildfire! Reopening Date Uncertain
If you’re planning a cross-island trip to East Java and Bali soon, pay close attention to this.
Kawah Ijen has suspended all tourism activities since September 4, due to a forest and land fire in the Ijen mountain area.
The East Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA Jawa Timur) announced that the Ijen Nature Tourism Area (TWA Kawah Ijen) has halted all visitor and related activities, with no reopening date announced yet.
Firefighting and relevant authorities are still working to contain the blaze, which is challenging due to the mountainous terrain and dry vegetation.
⚠️ Reminder for Bali Travelers
Kawah Ijen is not in Bali—it’s located at the eastern tip of Java Island.
However, many travelers plan:
Bali → Gilimanuk → Ketapang → Banyuwangi → Mount Ijen
So if your itinerary includes Mount Ijen, you now need to adjust it.
Don’t just follow an old travel agency itinerary and head off—first check if the authorities have officially reopened it.
Latest News on Mount Ijen Closure｜Forest Fire Spreads, Mount Ijen Temporarily Closed
🏖️ Bali Reaches 6.9 Million Tourists a Year! Officials Begin Studying ‘Carrying Capacity’
A noteworthy discussion has emerged again in Bali’s tourism development.
Recent analysis shows that Bali’s current visitor numbers have reached a significant scale—this year, the total number of foreign and domestic tourists could hit around 6.9 million—prompting calls to study the ‘carrying capacity’ of Bali’s various tourist zones.
The issue isn’t just that ‘Bali has too many tourists.’
More importantly:
Why do most tourists concentrate in South Bali?
Popular areas including Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, and Nusa Dua face far greater pressure from traffic, waste, water usage, and infrastructure than other regions.
Stakeholders believe further research is needed into why tourists cluster in the south—whether it’s due to convenient transportation, abundant accommodation, or insufficient tourism infrastructure in the north and other areas.
This also explains why Bali has been emphasizing in recent years:
A shift from ‘the more people, the better’ to ‘quality tourism.’
For travelers, this may mean more policies aimed at dispersing tourist crowds, limiting development, and improving infrastructure in the future.
🚕 Another Ride-Hailing Conflict in Canggu! Online Drivers Intercepted and Intimidated by Local Motorcycle Drivers
Canggu has seen another dispute over transportation services.
A video has recently gone viral on social media, showing a ride-hailing motorcycle (ojol) driver being intercepted by a suspected local traditional motorcycle driver (opang) near Batu Bolong, Canggu while picking up a passenger.
The other party allegedly believed that ride-hailing vehicles should not pick up passengers in that area, even making threats toward the driver and claiming to be carrying a firearm.
In the video, a foreign tourist eventually steps in and asks the person to let the driver leave.
A practical reminder for travelers from this incident is:
If you use Grab or Gojek in Canggu, don’t automatically assume the driver is being difficult if they ask you to get off at a certain spot or change your pickup location.
In some popular tourist spots, there are indeed territorial issues between traditional transport operators and ride-hailing services.
If you encounter a conflict, the safest approach is still not to argue, not to film provocatively, and to leave the scene first.
🤖 Global Forum Underway in Bali! AI, Technology, and Humanity’s Future Take Center Stage
If you’re in Bali these days, you might notice a highly international event taking place.
The World Encounter Summit 2026 and the XI International Scholas Chairs Congress 2026 are currently being held at the Kura Kura Bali Special Economic Zone (KEK Kura Kura Bali), running from September 4 to September 6.
Leaders, scholars, tech professionals, and young representatives from various countries have gathered in Bali to discuss the impact of the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) on human society and future life.
While this event doesn’t directly affect most tourists, it once again highlights:
Kura Kura Bali is evolving into an international business, technology, and sustainable development hub.
This area has recently caught travelers’ attention thanks to new facilities like the Sira Village Grand Outlet.
🎓 Udayana University in Bali Ranks 7th Among Top 10 Universities Outside Java
Udayana University in Bali has recently gained attention for its latest ranking.
According to the UniRank 2027 rankings, Udayana University is ranked 7th among universities outside Java Island in Indonesia.
Udayana University is one of the most representative higher education institutions in Bali, with its main campus located on the island.
While this news may not be typical travel coverage, in the long run, Bali’s level of internationalization extends beyond just tourism.
In recent years, Bali has gradually evolved into a region that combines:
Tourism + Education + Technology + Creative Industries + International Exchange.
For foreigners looking to live long-term, study, or work in Bali, the education and talent environment is also an aspect worth paying attention to.
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