BNPB deploys helicopters to extinguish Jatiwaringin landfill fire

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has deployed water-bombing helicopters to support firefighting operations at the Jatiwaringin Final Disposal Site (TPA) in Tangerang Regency, Banten. BNPB Head Suharyanto instructed the tactical deployment of the air fleet to accelerate the control of hotspots at the waste disposal site, which have been reported to be spreading. “We are bringing in two water-bombing helicopters and, if necessary, will conduct weather modification operations to support the emergency response on the ground,” he said. Suharyanto ordered his staff to immediately coordinate with the local government to strengthen firefighting efforts, given the difficulty of reaching hotspots located at the peak of the waste piles. Responding to this directive, one MI-8AMT helicopter with a 4,000-litre capacity was immediately repositioned from Jambi Province to Tangerang to carry out massive water bombing from the air. In addition to the aerial response, a joint ground team remains on standby with at least 10 fire engines to prevent the fire from spreading to residential areas. The fire, which has been burning since Tuesday afternoon, has had social impacts, with five families forced to evacuate to the Tanjakan Mekar Village Hall due to thick smoke. The BNPB and the local health service have also distributed masks and set up emergency medical posts to anticipate the risk of respiratory problems or acute respiratory infections among affected residents.