Day 12: Galuga Landfill Fire Still Burning, Officials Use Thermal Drones to Detect Hot Spots

BOGOR, KOMPAS.com - On the 12th day, the joint firefighting team continues cooling efforts at the Galuga Landfill Site (TPA) in Cibungbulang District, Bogor Regency.

The operation targets several hot spots within the trash mounds.

Irwanto, Head of Facilities and Infrastructure Section at the Bogor Regency Fire and Rescue Department, said the cooling process is now supported by thermal drone monitoring from the Bogor Regency Communications and Information Office to detect heat points invisible to the naked eye.

"We are cooling the hot spots identified by the thermal drone. Sometimes from the outside there is no smoke, but there is heat beneath," Irwanto told reporters on Friday (9/18/2026).

He explained that the thermal drone’s monitoring results help the team determine which areas require immediate spraying and cooling.

For instance, the team detected smoke in the P3 area, which was immediately addressed by the Fire Department and BPBD teams.

"Now we are moving to the P4 point for further leveling. Hopefully, conditions will stabilize and no more hot spots will be found," he added.

Under Control

Irwanto assured that the situation at the Galuga landfill is currently under control.

The field operation is supported by the availability of excavators, water supply teams, and hose networks covering the handling area.

"This is already the 12th day. We continue the cooling process as per the Regent’s instructions," he said.

The effort is planned to continue until the entire Galuga landfill area is fully cooled, scheduled through September 29, 2026.

Additionally, he hopes rainfall will greatly aid the cooling process by wetting the area more evenly, including hard-to-reach spots for the joint firefighting teams.

"Let’s all pray for rain. The istisqa prayer has already been performed earlier. Hopefully, our prayers will be answered. This is the prayer of all residents here," he concluded.

It is reported that the trash mounds at the Galuga landfill in Cibungbulang, Bogor Regency, caught fire on Monday afternoon (9/7/2026).

Preliminary investigations suggest the fire originated from nearby residents' land adjacent to the landfill and spread to the trash piles.

There were no casualties in the incident; however, the smoke affected residents around the landfill site.