Jatiwaringin Landfill Fire Under Control, Water Bombing Operations Halted
The National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) has officially halted aerial firefighting operations using water bombing helicopters at the Jatiwaringin Final Disposal Site (TPA) in Mauk District, Tangerang Regency, Banten. The decision was made after the fire situation at the location was declared fully under control on Saturday (11/7/2026).
Head of the BNPB Tactical Control and Operations Evaluation Division, Riswandi, explained that the cessation of air operations was based on accurate field data. Monitoring using advanced technology confirmed there were no longer any active fire threats on the surface.
"Based on the results of thermal drone monitoring conducted last night, there are no more fire spots or hotspots at the Jatiwaringin TPA. Therefore, today we are no longer conducting water bombing operations," Riswandi said in Tangerang.
Although the water bombing operations have ended, disaster management efforts have not stopped completely. The joint team is now shifting focus to the post-extinguishing phase to ensure the fire does not re-emerge from beneath the waste piles.
Riswandi emphasised that the next crucial step is the wetting and cooling process. This aims to maintain moisture in the very thick waste piles, given that landfill fires often leave embers in the deeper layers.
"The next focus is wetting and cooling, so that the waste piles remain moist and do not trigger another fire," he added.
The successful handling of the fire at the Jatiwaringin TPA received appreciation from various parties, including the Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut). Director of Resource Utilisation and Forest Security at Kemenhut, Suharyono, assessed that this handling is a real portrait of solid collaboration between central and regional governments.
Suharyono highlighted the role of the Tangerang Regent in orchestrating various components, from relevant ministries to field officers, so that the extinguishing process ran effectively and relatively quickly.
"What happened at the Jatiwaringin TPA was excellent coordination and collaboration from all components, from central to regional government, across ministries, orchestrated well by the Tangerang Regent," Suharyono said.
Before reaching controlled status, the extinguishing operation at the Jatiwaringin TPA had its strength increased. BNPB added two additional helicopter fleets, bringing the total to four water bombing helicopters deployed to douse hotspots from the air.
In addition to aerial attacks, ground extinguishing was carried out intensively by joint officers. On the ground, officers not only sprayed water conventionally but also used heavy equipment and applied an injection method. This method involves inserting pipes into the waste piles to extinguish fires trapped below the surface.
Although fire spots are no longer visually apparent, officers remain on standby at the location. Vigilance remains high against the potential for re-ignition due to heat still stored within the waste mountains. The cooling process will continue until the temperature inside the waste piles is completely stable and safe from the risk of subsequent fires.