Wildfires are one of the biggest threats to the people, forests, and peatlands of Central Kalimantan. Every year, uncontrolled fires destroy biodiversity, release massive amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, and harm local communities through toxic haze. At Himba Raya Indonesia Foundation, we are taking action through our Firefighting Program, which focuses on prevention, rapid response, and long-term resilience.
Current Support and Logistics
Right now, our firefighting program is supported by a dedicated team of local volunteers and trained community members. We provide them with basic firefighting equipment, protective gear, and field logistics, including water pumps, hoses, portable tanks, and transportation support. Our foundation also supplies communication tools to help teams coordinate during emergency response.
In addition to equipment, we run community awareness campaigns that teach villagers how to reduce fire risks, prepare safe land-clearing methods, and protect critical areas like peatlands from burning. Our current logistics allow us to respond quickly to small-scale fire outbreaks and prevent them from spreading into larger disasters.
Future Vision: Expanding Firefighting Capacity
Looking ahead, we aim to scale up the program and involve more people in fire prevention and control. This includes:
- Building community-based firefighting brigades across multiple villages.
- Expanding access to modern firefighting equipment and vehicles for greater mobility.
- Training more youth and women as part of the fire prevention and rapid response network.
- Establishing a central command and monitoring system to detect fires early through satellite data and community reports.
- Strengthening partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and private sector donors to secure long-term support and investment.
Protecting People, Forests, and Climate
By combining immediate response with long-term prevention strategies, our Firefighting Program not only saves lives and property but also protects Central Kalimantan’s forests and peatlands, which are among the most important carbon stores in the world. Every fire prevented is a step towards safeguarding biodiversity, improving community health, and contributing to global climate action.