Banten Governor Says Jatiwaringin Landfill Waste Pile as High as Seven-Storey Building

Banten Governor Andra Soni has stated that the volume of rubbish at the Jatiwaringin landfill in Tangerang Regency has reached a height equivalent to a seven-storey building. He explained that one of the main obstacles in extinguishing the fire at the site is that the flames are located at the peak of the waste pile, making aerial water bombing from helicopters essential. “Today, thank God, two helicopters from the central government have been deployed again, because we cannot extinguish the fire at the top. The height of the waste at Jatiwaringin is roughly equivalent to a seven-storey building,” Andra Soni said on Thursday (2/7/2026). The governor reminded the public that the massive pile is the result of waste produced and discarded by the community themselves. “Ladies and gentlemen, just imagine, that is the waste we produce. A portion of it also ends up in rivers, meaning we use your tax money to clean the rivers,” he said. Andra Soni also addressed the availability of firefighting equipment at the Jatiwaringin landfill, insisting that every landfill in Banten must be equipped with adequate fire extinguishers and water reservoirs in the future. He previously noted that weather conditions contributed to the fire, citing the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency’s forecast of the hottest and longest dry season in 30 years. He added that the fire spread due to wind factors and highlighted the crucial need to anticipate methane gas content beneath the waste pile. “From discussions with relevant parties, access to the area is being restricted and everything is being coordinated. The district and city governments are also assisting,” he explained.