Massive landfill fire in Indonesia forces evacuations, renews calls to end open dumping

More than 200 residents fled their homes as a massive fire engulfed a landfill in Tangerang, Indonesia, for over a week. The blaze at the Jatiwaringin landfill, west of Jakarta, spread across approximately 15 hectares, an area equivalent to about 22 football fields. Residents described the difficulty of breathing due to the toxic haze, with many seeking shelter in a local village hall. Life at the shelter was challenging, marked by poor air quality and sleepless nights filled with worry about their abandoned homes and belongings. Firefighters and volunteers battled the flames around the clock, deploying multiple fire engines, water trucks, and helicopters to douse the inferno. The fire was finally contained last Thursday, but as residents returned to find their homes covered in ash, police began investigating the cause, not ruling out negligence or open burning. The Jatiwaringin landfill, which receives about 1,200 tonnes of waste daily, operates under an "open dumping" system. This method, common in Indonesia, involves piling waste into uncovered mounds with minimal management, leaving combustible materials and flammable gases exposed. Environment Minister Jumhur Hidayat called the fire a "failure and negligence in its waste management system" and stated the government aims to end open dumping practices by year-end. Experts emphasize that the blaze underscores the urgent need to improve waste management in Indonesia's rapidly filling landfills, especially during dry spells exacerbated by El Nino.

“

It was so hard to breathe. My throat hurt and my eyes stung.