A massive landfill fire in Jatiwaringin, near Jakarta, Indonesia, has been burning for more than a week, covering nearby communities in thick toxic smoke and forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate. The blaze has spread across more than 15 hectares, while health officials have reported a rise in respiratory illnesses linked to hazardous air quality. Firefighters are using helicopters, bulldozers, drones, and water tankers to contain the flames. Environmental groups believe a buildup of methane gas from decomposing waste triggered the fire, calling it a warning of Indonesia’s worsening waste management crisis and the urgent need for long-term reforms.
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