Jatiwaringin Landfill Fire Still Not Extinguished, Evacuees Return Home

All residents who had previously been evacuated due to the impact of smoke from the fire at the Jatiwaringin Final Waste Processing Site (TPA) in Mauk District, Tangerang Regency, have returned to their respective homes, even though the fire has not been fully extinguished.

Extinguishing operations conducted by joint personnel have shown positive progress. Of the total of around 15 hectares of land that had burned, only about 5 per cent of hotspots remain under treatment.

Observations by CNN Indonesia at the evacuation post at the Tanjakan Mekar Village Office in Rajeg District showed that all evacuees had left the site. The public kitchen that had previously operated to meet the needs of affected residents has also been closed.

Tangerang Regent Maesyal Rasyid said residents had returned home because the smoke from the fire was no longer drifting towards residential areas.

“As of now, we have received reports that everyone has returned to their respective homes because there is no smoke heading towards the western area or the settlements,” said Maesyal.

Nevertheless, Maesyal said his side remains wary of the potential for wind shifts that could carry smoke back towards residential areas. This is because a number of hotspots and smoke remain in the western sector of the Jatiwaringin landfill, where personnel are continuing to extinguish the flames.

“There are still several more spots that we need to extinguish. We are also praying that the wind does not become too strong, because strong winds usually carry smoke in whichever direction they blow,” he explained.

Maesyal assured that joint personnel would continue the extinguishing process until all hotspots are truly extinguished. He also requested that health services for affected residents continue even though all evacuees have returned home.

“For health checks, puskesmas (community health centre) officers are still carrying them out door to door at residents’ homes,” he said.

The fire at the Jatiwaringin landfill began on Tuesday (30/6). On this tenth day, extinguishing operations continue to be carried out by joint personnel with the support of fire engines, heavy machinery, and water-bombing helicopters to ensure all hotspots are successfully extinguished.