BNPB Optimises Ground Firefighting Operations at Jatiwaringin Landfill
Tangerang Regency (ANTARA) - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is optimising ground firefighting operations at the Jatiwaringin Landfill, Mauk, Tangerang Regency, Banten, by opening special access routes to allow fire engines to penetrate the mounds of waste and reach the fire points.
“One of the efforts is the creation of breakthrough roads so that vehicles or hoses from our firefighting colleagues can enter,” said the Director of Operational Control Coordination at BNPB, Brigadier General TNI Djohan Darman, in Tangerang on Thursday.
He noted that wind speed at the Jatiwaringin landfill remains the primary obstacle in the firefighting process at the site.
“The main constraint is actually the wind. Since yesterday, the wind at this location has been quite strong. However, it has now begun to subside,” said Djohan Darman.
To accelerate the firefighting process on the ground, he added, efforts are being made to increase the number of fire engines through cross-sector assistance, bringing the total to 10 units.
Furthermore, the optimisation of aerial water spraying using water-bombing helicopters is being conducted to control flames that are out of reach.
“We continue to optimise the firefighting; later this afternoon, two helicopters will perform another round of water spraying. These are our efforts to complete the firefighting at the Jatiwaringin landfill,” he said.
He stated that the aerial water spraying via water-bombing helicopters will continue to be maximised to minimise the flames still scattered across the peak of the waste piles.
“Water bombing only became active yesterday. Even then, it was not maximal, lasting only for one hour. Since it has just been deployed, we are maximising it,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Regent of Tangerang, Moch. Maesyal Rasyid, stated that since the waste fire broke out at the Jatiwaringin landfill on Tuesday (30/6) until Thursday (2/7), the local government has continued to optimise firefighting efforts.
However, compared to previous days, the fire situation is reported to be subsiding. Furthermore, the spread of smoke enveloping the landfill area has also begun to thin.
In addition, the authorities have upgraded the emergency response status of the Jatiwaringin Landfill fire in Mauk from ‘alert’ to ‘emergency response’ to optimise field handling efforts.
This status upgrade was decided following an evaluation meeting regarding the landfill fire management, held alongside the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Department of Environment and Cleanliness (DLHK), and other relevant agencies.
The Regent also urged the local community to stay away from the Jatiwaringin landfill site, particularly when watching the water-bombing helicopter operations.
“The fire site is not a single expanse, but occurs at various points. Currently, the burnt area covers approximately seven hectares. We urge the public not to approach, as it is dangerous,” said Maesyal Rasyid.