El Nino expected to peak in August; Cirebon wary of landfill fires

The Cirebon Regency government in Indonesia is heightening its preparedness for an anticipated extreme drought, driven by the El Nino phenomenon. The Environmental Agency (DLH) is prioritizing preventative measures to mitigate the risks of both land fires and fires at the local landfill.

According to the Head of DLH Kabupaten Cirebon, Dede Sudiono, coordination with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) indicates that the most vulnerable period is expected between August and September 2026. "Our main focus right now is anticipating the surge in hot spots, land fires, and potential fires in the landfill area," Sudiono stated.

Sudiono explained that landfills are particularly susceptible to fires during periods of high temperatures. The accumulation of waste generates methane gas, which is highly flammable when exposed to heat. Even with ambient temperatures around 33 to 35 degrees Celsius, temperatures within the waste piles can climb to approximately 50 degrees Celsius, creating conditions ripe for spontaneous combustion. To combat this, the DLH is employing a semi-sanitary landfill method, covering waste with soil to level the piles and reduce trapped methane pockets. Tanker trucks are also deployed to water the landfill area at least twice daily, carefully managing moisture levels to prevent excessive leachate runoff.

In addition to reinforcing landfill security and monitoring hot spots with relevant agencies, the DLH is encouraging residents to reduce the volume of waste. They urge citizens to separate organic and inorganic waste at home, suggesting that organic waste be used for maggot feed or compost. This initiative aims to prevent excessive waste accumulation at the landfill and curb methane gas formation. The DLH is also collaborating with the Social and Health agencies to register waste pickers at the landfill, providing them with safety training, better job access, and health insurance. Interestingly, Sudiono noted that despite the increased fire risk during the dry season, air quality around the landfill tends to improve compared to the rainy season, with lower odor intensity due to increased evaporation from direct sunlight.