Politics · Indonesia · 2 hrs ago
Tanjung Puting Fire Volunteers Withdraw, Seek Aerial Water-Bombing Support
Volunteer teams from two local organizations have withdrawn from efforts to fight forest and land fires in Tanjung Puting National Park, in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Their representative said the teams had reached the limits of their capacity and felt they were not receiving enough support.
The park is home to orangutans, and the volunteers say the fires have not been brought under control.
They are asking the government to use aircraft to drop water on fires in the park’s core zone, which is difficult for ground teams to reach.
The representative estimated that about 54,000 hectares have been affected, but said the figure is uncertain.
The volunteers’ withdrawal does not mean the fire threat has ended.
Government agencies would need to assess the fire locations, operational needs and readiness of air support before deciding how to respond.
Volunteers from the Green Orangutan Foundation of Kalimantan and the Indonesian Tour Guides Association have withdrawn from firefighting in Tanjung Puting National Park.
Their representative said they had reached the limits of their capacity and felt their efforts were not producing significant results.
The volunteers called on the government to provide aerial water-bombing support, particularly to reach fires in the park’s core zone.
The affected area is estimated at about 54,000 hectares, but the figure has not been confirmed.
- Who
- Volunteers from the Green Orangutan Foundation of Kalimantan and the Indonesian Tour Guides Association, represented by Moncos.
- What
- They withdrew their members from field firefighting and urged the government to provide aerial water-bombing support.
- When
- The withdrawal was reported on October 12, 2026. Moncos discussed it on Sunday, October 11.
- Where
- Tanjung Puting National Park in West Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.
- Why
- The volunteers said their efforts had not produced significant results, their capacity had reached its limit, and government support was insufficient.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
For now, I am withdrawing, because continuing is pointless if there is no significant change.
We are asking only for water bombing to help extinguish the fires in the core zone.
We have tried as hard as we could, up to the limits of our capacity. That is why we are asking the government to bring in water bombing immediately.
Volunteers worked to put out fires in Tanjung Puting National Park but said their efforts had not produced significant results.
Moncos said the volunteers had decided to withdraw from field firefighting and called for aerial water-bombing support.
- Volunteer groups
- Green Orangutan Foundation of Kalimantan and Indonesian Tour Guides Association
- Park
- Tanjung Puting National Park, West Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan
- Requested support
- Aerial water bombing
- Estimated affected area
- About 54,000 hectares, an unconfirmed estimate
Sources
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