To Tackle the Putri Cempo Landfill Fire, Central Java Provincial Government to Conduct Weather Modification

The Head of the Central Java Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), Bergas Catursasi Penanggungan, said efforts to tackle the fire have now entered their fifth day. Every available method is being used to reach the pockets of fire, including locations difficult for personnel to access by land. He made the remarks at a press conference at the Central Java Governor’s Office in Semarang today.

“Every means is being employed, whether by land or by air. On the first day we used ground routes, and subsequently we were assisted by the Central Java Regional Police with water bombing,” Bergas said in a written statement on Monday (7/9/2026).

The next step is a weather modification operation by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB). The operation is expected to begin around 9-10 September 2026.

Bergas said all available technology and support will be optimised to speed up the extinguishing effort. This is necessary because the area burned at Putri Cempo this time is said to be larger than a similar incident in 2023.

“In the 2023 fire, handling the incident took about 24 days. The provincial government hopes this event can be resolved in a shorter time,” he said.

He added that the wider extent of the fire requires extra effort. Therefore, extinguishing by land and air will continue whilst preparing for the weather modification operation.

Earlier, Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi directly inspected the handling of the Putri Cempo landfill fire on Saturday, 5 September 2026. He called for a comprehensive response through collaboration between the Central Java Provincial Government, Surakarta City Government, the TNI, the National Police and other relevant parties.

“This must be resolved thoroughly; the sooner the better,” said Ahmad Luthfi.

Beyond accelerating the extinguishing effort, he stressed that the safety of residents around the landfill must be a priority throughout the response process.

“The provincial government has also taken steps to protect the public from the effects of smoke, among others by putting health services on standby and providing masks and logistical assistance to residents and personnel around the fire location,” he concluded.