Jakarta, ThedailyID — Firefighters continue battling a major landfill fire in Tangerang, Indonesia, as the blaze entered its 10th day on Thursday. Authorities estimate that only 5% of the original fire remains active.
Smoke continued to rise from the western section of the Jatiwaringin Final Disposal Site (TPA Jatiwaringin). Although visible flames have diminished, emergency crews are still cooling the area to prevent the fire from reigniting.
According to CNN Indonesia, firefighters, the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), and the Manggala Agni forest fire brigade have worked together to extinguish the remaining hotspots.
Meanwhile, authorities deployed two water-bombing helicopters to reach areas inaccessible by ground. Heavy machinery also continues to break apart piles of waste, allowing crews to extinguish fires burning beneath the surface.
Tangerang Regent Maesyal Rasyid said firefighting efforts have made significant progress over the past 10 days. He estimated that crews have extinguished about 95% of the 15-hectare area affected by the fire.
“About 95% of the smoke and flames have been extinguished. We still have around three hectares undergoing firefighting operations,” Maesyal said after inspecting the site.
However, he stressed that authorities will continue operations until every hotspot and plume of smoke has disappeared. He also instructed all emergency personnel to remain on alert to prevent the fire from spreading again.
Maesyal said he still observed several areas producing smoke and small flames from the top of the landfill. Therefore, helicopters will continue water-bombing operations to support ground crews.
Local authorities, BNPB, BPBD, Manggala Agni, and other emergency agencies will maintain firefighting efforts until they fully extinguish the blaze.
