Putri Cempo landfill fire triggers evacuation and weather modification plans

A massive fire at the Putri Cempo landfill in Surakarta, Central Java, has affected approximately 5.5 hectares of waste. While some areas have been declared safe, fire crews are still working to extinguish hotspots in Block B. The disaster has forced 105 residents to evacuate due to smoke inhalation risks.

To accelerate the firefighting efforts, the Central Java Provincial Government and the National Disaster Management Authority (BNPB) are preparing a weather modification operation (OMC) scheduled for September 9–10, 2026. Current containment efforts include ground-based spraying, water bombing, and the use of hydrants at the waste-to-energy plant.

In response to the incident and extreme heat conditions, the Ministry of Environment has instructed local governments across Indonesia to increase vigilance at landfills. The ministry emphasized the need to end open dumping practices and improve methane gas management to prevent similar fires caused by rising temperatures.