Jatiwaringin Landfill Fire: Hundreds Displaced, Suffering from Respiratory Infections

A total of 232 residents have been evacuated to the Tanjakan Mekar Village Hall to escape the harmful effects of thick smoke from the fire, according to Abdul Muhari, Head of the Data, Information and Disaster Communication Centre at the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). Abdul explained that 40 per cent of the 15-hectare burning area has been extinguished. A disaster emergency response status has been in effect from 1 to 14 July. “Firefighting efforts via land and air routes are still ongoing for the 60 per cent of the burning area that remains unextinguished, although it is now under control,” he said. The breakdown of displaced residents includes 60 children, 7 elderly people, 1 pregnant woman, 137 adults, 26 toddlers, and 1 person with a disability. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment (KLH) continues to monitor the impact of air pollution from the Jatiwaringin landfill fire. Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat urged residents not to conduct activities outside a 1.7-kilometre radius from the fire’s epicentre. “Based on monitoring data analysis and elaboration of BMKG data, using technical modelling simulations of the key parameter PM2.5, which is hazardous for direct respiratory health and a potential cause of acute respiratory infection, the safe limit for residents is estimated to be beyond a 1.7 km radius from the centre of the Jatiwaringin landfill,” Jumhur stated. He noted that the government has implemented several safety measures, including evacuating residents to safer locations, deploying medical teams, and distributing masks. “To date, there have been 139 cases of acute respiratory infection and 50 residents have been evacuated to the local village office, which is located at a safe distance from the smoke impact,” he said. All medical costs are being covered by the Tangerang Regency Government, which has also declared a disaster emergency status. Efforts to extinguish the fire continue with the deployment of two helicopters. Abdul Muhari added that BNPB will add two more water-bombing helicopters, bringing the total to four units, which will be repositioned to accelerate firefighting operations. Weather modification operations cannot be conducted for the next week due to a lack of adequate rain clouds, although one aircraft remains on standby. The fire at the Jatiwaringin landfill in Tangerang Regency, Banten, has been burning since Tuesday, 30 June.