BNPB deploys helicopters to extinguish Jatiwaringin landfill fire

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) has deployed water-bombing helicopters to support firefighting operations at the Jatiwaringin Landfill in Tangerang Regency, Banten.

Speaking in Jakarta on Wednesday, the Head of BNPB, Suharyanto, instructed the tactical deployment of the aerial fleet to accelerate the control of fire hotspots at the landfill site, which is reported to be continuously expanding.

“We have brought in two water-bombing helicopters, and if necessary, weather modification operations will be conducted to support emergency handling on the ground,” he said.

Suharyanto ordered his staff to immediately coordinate with the local government to strengthen firefighting efforts, following difficulties in reaching fire hotspots located at the peak of the waste piles.

In response to these instructions, one MI-8AMT helicopter with a 4,000-litre capacity has been repositioned from Jambi Province to the Tangerang area to perform massive aerial water spraying.

In addition to the aerial response, joint ground teams are simultaneously deploying at least 10 fire engines to contain the spread of the fire and prevent it from reaching residential settlements.

The fire, which has been raging since Tuesday (30/6) afternoon, has reportedly impacted social aspects, with five heads of households forced to evacuate to the Tanjakan Mekar Village Hall due to the thick smoke.

BNPB, alongside the local health department, has distributed masks and set up emergency medical service posts to anticipate the risk of respiratory infections (ISPA) among affected residents.