BNPB Optimises Aerial Firefighting at Jatiwaringin Landfill

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is continuing to optimise the firefighting process at the Jatiwaringin Final Disposal Site (TPA) in Mauk, Tangerang Regency, Banten, through aerial water bombing using helicopters. “We continue to optimise the firefighting efforts; later this afternoon, both helicopters will conduct water drops again. So, these are our efforts to resolve the fire at the Jatiwaringin TPA,” said BNPB Director of Operations Control Coordination, Brigadier General TNI Djohan Darmawan, in Tangerang on Thursday. “Water bombing only became active yesterday. Even then, it was not yet optimal, lasting only up to one hour. So, because it was just relocated, we are maximising it,” he said.

In addition to optimising aerial firefighting operations, the BNPB, together with the Tangerang Regency local government, is currently opening a route to make it easier for fire engines to penetrate the mountains of rubbish and reach the fire hotspots. “We are also making a breakthrough road so that vehicles or hoses from our firefighting colleagues can enter,” he stated. He said that to date, a fleet of 10 fire engines has been deployed, along with assistance mobilised from the Tangerang City Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD).

Meanwhile, Tangerang Regent Moch. Maesyal Rasyid said that since the waste fire occurred at the Jatiwaringin TPA on Tuesday (30/6), efforts to extinguish the flames have been continuously optimised. However, compared to the previous day, the fire situation has begun to subside, and the smoke blanketing the TPA area is also starting to thin. “Alhamdulillah, it has started to ease; it has been carried out and is still ongoing. We have also tried to contact the Tangerang City Government so they can help with the fire engine fleet,” he said. The Regent urged residents not to approach the Jatiwaringin TPA location to watch the firefighting process involving water bombing or helicopters carrying water. “The fire location is not in one expanse, but in spots. Currently, the area that is burning has reached approximately seven hectares, and residents should not come close because it is dangerous,” he said.