# Landfill fires in Indonesia

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/landfill-fires-in-indonesia
> Updated: 2026-10-03T12:46:54.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3.

In late September 2026, large-scale fires occurred at major landfills in Indonesia.

In Sukabumi, a fire at the Cikundul Landfill engulfed approximately 4 hectares of waste and vegetation. The blaze produced thick black smoke that spread within a 5-kilometer radius, impacting visibility and local respiratory health. Authorities noted that the fire may have been caused by methane gas accumulation or human negligence during the dry season.

Shortly after, a fire broke out at the Jatibarang Landfill in Semarang, affecting an estimated 10 hectares. On September 30, emergency response efforts involved a joint team including the Central Java and Semarang City Disaster Management Agencies (BPBD), the military (TNI), and the police (Polri). Responders utilized heavy machinery to uncover hidden embers, facing challenges from narrow access roads and the presence of methane gas. While the intensity of the hotspots began to decrease, the cause of the blaze remained under investigation.

By early October, the affected area at the Jatibarang Landfill had been reduced to approximately 2 to 2.5 hectares. Although surface fires diminished, officials utilized thermal drones to locate hidden hotspots beneath waste piles. The five-day blaze caused health issues for local residents, with 22 people reported suffering from respiratory problems, including coughing and shortness of breath, in the Kedungpane, Tambakaji, and Bambankerep neighborhoods. Authorities identified the presence of cotton mattresses within the waste as a contributing factor to the intensity of the flames. To ensure continuous cooling, water tankers were scheduled to operate on a 24-hour basis starting October 5.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-03: Jatibarang Landfill fire in Semarang reduced to 2.5 hectares

Firefighters in Semarang are using thermal drones to combat a landfill fire at Jatibarang, which has caused respiratory issues for 22 residents and left 2.5 hectares still smoldering.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jatibarang-landfill-fire-in-semarang-reduced-to-25-hectares

### 2026-09-30: Jatibarang Landfill fire affects 10 hectares in Semarang

A major fire has struck the Jatibarang Landfill in Semarang, Central Java, affecting approximately 10 hectares. Joint emergency teams are working to control the blaze amid challenges with methane gas and access

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jatibarang-landfill-fire-affects-10-hectares-in-semarang

### 2026-09-27: Cikundul Landfill fire engulfs 4 hectares in Sukabumi

A large-scale fire at the Cikundul Landfill in Sukabumi, Indonesia, has burned 4 hectares of waste, creating thick smoke and health risks for residents within a 5-kilometer radius.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cikundul-landfill-fire-engulfs-4-hectares-in-sukabumi

---
Cite as: Landfill fires in Indonesia. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/landfill-fires-in-indonesia