Fire spreads at Putri Cempo landfill in Solo

Efforts to extinguish the fire at Putri Cempo landfill in Solo have repeatedly gained and lost ground as strong winds spread the flames and reignited smoldering areas.

By Thursday afternoon, the blaze had consumed six of the landfill’s 17 hectares of accumulated waste. Firefighters had managed to subdue it early Wednesday, but the flames returned on Thursday morning when winds picked up. After several hours of work, crews again made progress, only for gusts later in the day to spark fires at several remaining hot spots.

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Blocks B and D are under control. Only Block C remains because it is difficult to reach.

Herwin Tri Nugroho, head of Solo’s Environmental Agency, said the fire initially affected Blocks B and D. Those areas had been brought under control, but the flames later reached Block C, which he described as difficult to access. “Blocks B and D are under control. Only Block C remains because it is difficult to reach,” Herwin said.

The fire has not reached residential areas, but its smoke has spread into nearby homes and several schools. Herwin said his agency was coordinating with Solo’s Regional Disaster Management Agency, which has prepared evacuation points in case residents affected by the smoke need to leave. “We continue coordinating with the relevant agencies. If residents need to be evacuated at any time, the Surakarta city government is ready with the necessary facilities and equipment,” he said.

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We continue coordinating with the relevant agencies. If residents need to be evacuated at any time, the Surakarta city government is ready with the necessary facilities and equipment.