Bali, Sept 24:
Indonesia is facing its worst wildfires in more than a decade, with large areas of Borneo affected by thick smoke, damaged forests and worsening respiratory problems among local residents.
The fires have been particularly severe in West Kalimantan, where peatlands and forests have been burning amid prolonged dry conditions. The country’s weather has been affected by a strong El Niño pattern, which has contributed to drought and increased the risk of fires.
An all-women volunteer group known as “The Power of Mama” has been helping monitor and contain fires in several villages. More than 140 women, including farmers and homemakers, patrol affected areas, identify hotspots and advise residents against using fire to clear land.
The scale of the fires has raised concerns over both public health and the environment. Government data showed that about 202,000 hectares of land had burned across Indonesia between January and July, with West Kalimantan accounting for more than 38,000 hectares.
The situation could continue for several more weeks. Indonesia’s forestry minister has warned that the fires may persist until early November because the rainy season is expected to arrive later than usual. The government has deployed aircraft for water bombing and cloud-seeding operations as it attempts to contain the fires.