Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Women volunteers battle Indonesia's worst wildfires in 11 years
Indonesia is experiencing very large forest fires, especially on the island of Borneo.
The fires have made the sky orange and filled the air with smoke.
Many people are having breathing problems, and birds have disappeared from some villages.
More than 140 women volunteer to look for fires and help put out smaller ones.
They travel by motorcycle and wear protective suits.
They also teach neighbours not to use fire to clear land.
Some fires burn underground in dry peat, making them difficult to stop.
The fires have been worsened by drought and the El Niño weather pattern.
Officials say the fires may last until early November.
Wildfires have blackened forests across Indonesia, with Borneo and Sumatra particularly affected by prolonged dry conditions.
More than 140 women in West Kalimantan volunteer with The Power of Mama to monitor hotspots and fight smaller fires.
The fires have caused thick smoke, respiratory problems and a noticeable loss of birdsong in affected villages.
Government data shows fires burned about 202,000 hectares in Indonesia from January through July, including more than 38,000 hectares in West Kalimantan.
Authorities expect the fires could continue until early November because the rainy season is arriving late.
- Who
- More than 140 women volunteers in The Power of Mama, along with Indonesian authorities and the environmental group Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia, are involved.
- What
- Wildfires are burning forests and peatland, causing smoke, respiratory problems and environmental damage.
- When
- The fires intensified during the dry season beginning in June; government data covers January through July, and officials expect fires could continue until early November.
- Where
- Indonesia, especially West Kalimantan on the island of Borneo, as well as Sumatra.
- Why
- Prolonged dry weather and the drought-inducing El Niño pattern worsened the fires; land clearing with fire also adds to the risk.
- Affected country
- Indonesia
- Worst-hit province
- West Kalimantan, with more than 38,000 hectares burned
- Total area burned
- About 202,000 hectares in Indonesia from January through July
- Volunteer group
- The Power of Mama, comprising more than 140 women
- Training organization
- Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia trained the women in 2022
- Government response
- Indonesia deployed more than 50 aircraft for water bombing and cloud seeding
- Expected duration
- The fires could continue until early November because of the late rainy season