Jatiwaringin Landfill Fire Still Raging After Four Days, 30% Contained

The fire at the Jatiwaringin Final Processing Site (TPA) in Mauk District, Tangerang Regency, Banten, remained unextinguished as of Friday (3/7). The blaze has now been burning for a total of four days since it began on Tuesday (30/6). Despite this, approximately 30 percent of the previously burning area was reported to have been brought under control by Friday morning. Observations at the site on Friday morning showed flames still active at several points, with thick plumes of smoke continuing to billow into the air and drift westwards with the wind. Firefighting efforts are being carried out in an integrated manner via air and ground. Two water-bombing helicopters belonging to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) were redeployed to douse hotspots that are difficult to reach from the ground. Meanwhile, firefighters continue to spray water at several points, including using an injection method. BNPB Director of Emergency Operations Control Coordination, Brigadier General TNI Djohan Darmawan, stated that his team had deployed two water-bombing helicopters. In addition, at least 18 fire engine units were on site on the fourth day of operations. “So, on the fourth day, we have brought in two water-bombing helicopter units, and there are also 18 fire engines,” Djohan said at the location. According to him, around 30 percent of the burning area has been extinguished. However, strong gusts of wind remain a major challenge as they cause the fire to spread easily. “For now, we can see that in the morning the wind is not too strong. Our personnel are maximising their work from morning, afternoon, to night,” he explained. To accelerate the handling, 30 Manggala Agni personnel from the Ministry of Forestry will be involved in the firefighting efforts by applying the injection method. “This injection system involves pipes that are perforated, and the Manggala Agni team is already accustomed to doing this. They might start the action this afternoon,” he clarified. In addition to firefighting, heavy equipment such as excavators is being operated to break down piles of waste that have been soaked. This step aims to open access to fire spots located deep within the waste mounds while preventing embers from reigniting. Meanwhile, hundreds of residents held a mass Istisqa prayer to ask for rain in the yard of the Jami Al Mujahidin Mosque near the site on Friday morning. The prayer was performed to seek divine intervention for rain to accelerate the extinguishing of the fire that has been burning since Tuesday. The head of the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI) for Mauk District, Agus Romadhoni, said the Istisqa prayer was held as a form of spiritual effort amidst the disaster that has had a wide impact on the community. “Through the Istisqa prayer, we ask for forgiveness from Allah and pray that rain will fall soon and that the disaster at the Jatiwaringin TPA will be extinguished and brought under control,” Agus said. He also expressed hope that this disaster would serve as a reminder for the public to be more concerned about the environment, especially regarding waste management. Meanwhile, the BNPB is still reviewing plans for weather modification operations as a step to accelerate the extinguishing of the fire. Access roads from the Jatiwaringin TPA area towards Sukadiri District remain restricted, with the route only open to operational vehicles belonging to the fire department, military, police, medical personnel, and related agencies involved in handling the fire.