Tangerang. A massive fire at the Jatiwaringin landfill in Mauk, Tangerang Regency, has finally been extinguished after burning for 10 days, but authorities will maintain an emergency response status until at least July 14 to prevent the blaze from reigniting.

Officials confirmed on Friday that no flames or smoke were visible at the landfill. However, joint emergency teams are continuing to soak the waste piles to eliminate hidden hotspots that could trigger another fire.

Tangerang Regent Maesyal Rasyid said the continued cooling operation follows recommendations from Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).

"After surveying the entire area, from the western and eastern sectors to the top of the landfill, we no longer found smoke or fire. Following BNPB's guidance, we will continue spraying water across the landfill to ensure it is fully cooled," Maesyal said.

The emergency disaster status, declared after the fire broke out on June 30, will remain in place until July 14. Authorities will then assess whether conditions are stable enough to lift the status.

"We will continue until July 14. After that, we will evaluate whether the emergency status needs to be extended or whether conditions have become stable as they are now," he said.

The blaze engulfed around 15 hectares of the landfill and required an extensive response involving the BNPB, the Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Manggala Agni firefighting teams, and two water-bombing helicopters. By Thursday, firefighters had managed to extinguish about 95% of the affected area before bringing the fire fully under control on Friday.

Despite the successful containment, the disaster has taken a toll on nearby communities. Smoke from the fire caused 61 residents to suffer acute respiratory infections (ARI). Maesyal said all patients are receiving outpatient treatment from local health centers and none have required hospitalization.

Health workers continue to conduct door-to-door medical checks in affected neighborhoods, even after evacuees have returned to their homes.

Meanwhile, BNPB Tactical Control and Operations Evaluation Head Riswandi said the agency will keep its aerial firefighting fleet on standby to assist local governments if needed.

"Our aerial assets are ready whenever requested by regents, mayors, or other regional leaders to help extinguish landfill, forest, or land fires," he said.

Riswandi also urged regional governments across Indonesia to strengthen fire prevention measures at landfill sites during the dry season.

"This should be a lesson for all regions that operate landfills. They need to improve mitigation efforts, including keeping landfill areas moist, because BMKG forecasts indicate extremely hot and dry weather that could increase the risk of fires," he said.

Add as a preferred source on Google +