TMC Operation to be Conducted This Week to Accelerate Fire Suppression at Landfill
The Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency (KLH/BPLH) has announced that Weather Modification Technology (TMC) operations will be conducted at the Jatiwaringin landfill fire site in Mauk, Tangerang Regency, Banten, starting this Sunday (5/7).
“Initially, there was no potential for cloud formation. However, BMKG has confirmed that there is a possibility of light rain tomorrow, Sunday (5/7),” said Deputy Minister of Environment Diaz Faisal Malik Hendropriyono in Tangerang on Saturday.
He stated that based on reports from the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Region II, the potential for cloud growth in early July 2026 indicates light rainfall. Consequently, his office, alongside relevant agencies, has decided to implement weather engineering to accelerate the fire suppression efforts at the Jatiwaringin landfill.
He noted that extinguishing the fire at the Jatiwaringin landfill cannot be achieved quickly due to the emergency characteristics, similar to peatland fires. The fire points extend from the surface to the deepest layers, requiring maximum effort to suppress.
“The characteristics are similar to peatland fires, where the surface may appear extinguished, but fire remains underneath. This means it could reignite at any time, and due to the presence of CH4 (methane), there is a potential for explosions,” he explained.
In response, the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is implementing an ‘injection’ method, which involves injecting water directly into the fire points beneath the surface of the landfill area. He noted that this injection method is considered effective in accelerating the fire suppression process.
The implementation of this water injection method will be carried out by joint personnel, including the Fire Department and Manggala Agni from the Ministry of Forestry, with 30 personnel currently deployed.
Additionally, the firefighting process includes the optimisation of aerial water spraying using water bombing helicopters. Currently, two MI-8AMT helicopters are in operation, using 4,000-litre capacity buckets to extinguish the fire at the Jatiwaringin landfill.
“They are experts in extinguishing peat fires, which are similar to the situation at this landfill. Spraying water from above is not entirely ineffective, but it is insufficient because the fire continues underneath. Therefore, we need the assistance of Manggala Agni to perform injections down to the deep-seated fire points,” he added.