Massive fires hit three landfills across the country as dry season intensifies

In recent days, a series of major fires have erupted at three landfills across Indonesia, underscoring the dangers and environmental concerns posed by the nation's habit of open dumping. The fires, which have occurred as a prolonged dry spell has intensified, have caused significant damage to the waste sites.

One of the most affected landfills is the Jatibarang Landfill in Semarang, the largest dumpsite in Central Java. On Wednesday night, a massive fire broke out, consuming approximately 10 hectares of the 46-hectare site. Despite the efforts of seven fire trucks and 50 firefighters, the blaze continues to spread, hampered by the sheer scale of the fire and the limited availability of heavy machinery.

According to Tantri Pradono, head of operations and rescue at the Semarang Fire and Rescue Agency, the firefighting efforts have been significantly hampered by the size of the blaze and the scarcity of excavators necessary to dig up and turn over the waste piles. He explained that merely spraying water on the surface is not enough, as hot spots can re-emerge from below.

Currently, only two excavators are available to assist with the operation, which is half the number ideally required to combat a fire covering about 10 hectares.

The situation has been further complicated by methane gas trapped beneath the waste piles. This gas, if not properly managed, could fuel the fire and allow it to spread beneath the waste, posing additional risks to the firefighting efforts. As the fires continue to burn, the urgency to address Indonesia's reliance on open dumping practices and the need for more effective waste management strategies becomes increasingly apparent.