Helicopters Deployed on Second Day to Combat TPA Jatiwaringin Fire

The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has deployed helicopters to conduct water bombing operations at the Jatiwaringin final disposal site (TPA) in Mauk, Tangerang, Banten, as a fire continued to burn for a second day on Wednesday (1/7). The fire first broke out on Tuesday (30/6).

BNPB Head Lieutenant General Suharyanto stated that the aerial firefighting efforts were initiated on Wednesday. "If necessary, we will carry out weather modification operations," Suharyanto said in a written statement. He had previously instructed his team to immediately assess the situation and coordinate with the Tangerang Regency Government.

Initial assessments by a BNPB team led by Brigadier General Djohan Darmawan, Director of Operations Control Coordination, indicated that the fire was still active as of Tuesday night. Firefighting efforts on the ground have been hampered because the burning material consists of large piles of waste, and the seat of the fire is at a height difficult for ground crews to reach.

The Head of the Tangerang Regency Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Achmad Taufik, stated that the fire was likely caused by extreme heat igniting methane gas generated from years of decomposing rubbish. Strong winds further accelerated the spread of the flames across the landfill.