SEMARANG – Landfill fires are occurring and spreading accross Indonesia. The Bintari team recorded more than 20 landfills burning in the last few months. In West Java, at least five landfills burned, namely Sarimukti (West Bandung), Bantargebang (Bekasi), Purbahayu (Pangandaran), Pasir Bajing (Garut), and Kopi Luhur (Cirebon) landfills. There were five landfills that burned in Central Java, namely Jatibarang (Semarang), Putri Cempo (Surakarta), and Pesalakan (Pemalang), Penujah (Pemalang) and Maruraja (Tegal) landfill. Similar conditions were occurred in Randegan (Mojokerto), Winongo (Madiun), Jalibar (Batu), Supit Urang (Malang) and Klothok (Kediri) landfills. Outside of Java, landfill fires were also reported from Samarinda, Banjarmasin, Palembang, Ogan Ilir, Sinjai, Manado and Palu.
In fact, landfill fires can have serious impacts on the environment and health. This fire produces dangerous substances such as CO, CO2, H2S, Dioxins and Furans. The last two gases are carcinogenic and cause cancer. Dioxin can also disrupt the human reproduction system and cause defects in babies. Because the waste that enters the landfill is mixed with hazardous waste such as electronic waste, pesticides and batteries, fires can also spread heavy metals into the wider environment. Heavy metals that need to be watched out for include Cadmium and Pb which have dangerous effects on health and the environment. This effect not only applies to humans but also vegetation and biota.
Why do landfill fires occur? These fires can arise due to both human or natural factors. Many landfills are not sterile for unauthorized people come and go. Not everyone understands fire triggers such as smoking, throwing away cigarette butts, and cooking. Many landfills are places of activity and even home to hundreds of waste pickers. Fires can also be triggered by natural factors such as high temperatures which can start a fire. Landfills have high energy content due to the presence of methane gas as well as plastic and paper which have high heating values. Meanwhile, many landfills are not compacted and covered with soil so that they receive an abundant supply of oxygen. Small sparks can ignite large fires due to the reaction of burnable materials and oxygen
If a fire has occurred, apart from dousing with water, it is necessary to backfill with soil. Filling the soil with a thickness of 15-30 cm and compacting it with a bulldozer can suppress contact with oxygen. Meanwhile, sprinkling water will lower the temperature to prevent a fire from starting. Water requirements are estimated at 3 – 4 m3 per ton of waste.
Fire prevention can be done by implementing landfill operational according to proper SOPs. Restrictions unauthorized persons must be enforced. Disseminate information to the public and operators not to start fires is urgent. Finally, compact the waste and cover it with soil to suppress contact with oxygen can prevent from landfill fire. Since the impact of landfill fires is extremely dangerous and it is difficult to stop, preventing fires must be prioritized. (MN)