Toxic landfill fire near Jakarta sickens residents, forces evacuations

Toxic smoke from the Jatiwaringin landfill on Jakarta’s outskirts has sickened nearby residents and forced evacuations as the fire spread across more than 15 hectares of the 33-hectare site. The blaze broke out on June 30 or July 1 and was still smoldering below the garbage pile on July 8, sending hazardous fumes into surrounding communities in Tangerang Regency, Banten.

The fire burned deep inside a waste mound that rose 20 to 30 meters high, making it hard to extinguish with conventional methods. Crews deployed water tankers, bulldozers, drones, helicopters and water-bombing aircraft, and the National Disaster Management Agency said two water-bombing helicopters were being used. Tangerang Regency authorities declared a disaster emergency status through July 14.

Respiratory infections were counted at 154 cases, while another tally found 234 residents examined and 72 diagnosed with acute respiratory tract infections. At least 102 residents were evacuated, while a separate count placed the number displaced at 232 and at least 210 people received medical treatment. Residents in the area were sent to temporary shelter as the air around the landfill was classified as hazardous. The Environment Ministry said conditions had improved in recent days.

Deputy Minister Diaz Hendropriyono inspected the site on July 4, and the ministry urged regions to prevent landfill fires during the dry season and El Nino-linked heat. Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia blamed the blaze on years of neglect in waste management rather than an isolated accident.

By April 2025, the central government had ordered 343 landfills closed and threatened jail time for local officials who failed to comply. The Environment Ministry plans a broader evaluation of 390 landfills across Indonesia in early August. The March 8 collapse at the Bantargebang landfill east of Jakarta killed seven sanitation workers and injured six others.