BNPB Records 14 Waste TPA Fires Throughout June-October

JAKARTA - The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) recorded as many as 14 incidents of fire at the Final Disposal Site (TPA) of waste that occurred from June to October 2023.

"There are 14 TPA fires recorded in us from June, July, August, to October, ranging from Sabang to Merauke," said Head of the BNPB Disaster Data, Information and Communication Center Abdul Muhari, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, October 17.

Abdul explained that at the fire at the Sarimukti TPA, West Java, the fire was quite tough, because there were a lot of plastic piles. The plastic hoarding blocks the outage water from seeping down.

The burned area at the Sarimukti TPA, said Abdul, has a height of almost 70 meters. The blackout with the help of the ground task force and water bomb helicopter can control 70 percent of the fires that occurred and must continue to monitor the hotspots that arise later.

"Reports from the Ministry of Health (Ministry of Health) also increase the number of ARI patients (ACUTE Respiratory Channel Infection) and others," he said.

Abdul said there were no more optimal extinguishing efforts than dropping water bombs by helicopter and carrying out Weather Modification Technology (TMC).

However, supervision of the emergence of fires, he said, must be a public concern, especially not to throw cigarette butts carelessly, or ignite fires in burning areas.

In addition, BNPB this week focused on extinguishing fires at TPA Suwung, Bali. Two water bomb helicopters from other areas were temporarily shifted to extinguishing through water avalanches.

"Once again, that 99 percent of the causes of the fire were intentionally or unintentionally. So let's take care of our environment together, look at the situation and conditions. Prevent, at least in our respective environment there is no forest and land fires. Or even if there is forest and land fires, because we control them immediately," said Abdul.