Volunteer firefighters battle massive peat fires and toxic smog in Indonesian Borneo

The sky over Borneo has turned an amber hue under a thick blanket of smoke that has crossed international borders, but on the ground the danger is more intimate. Smoke seeps from the soil as giant subterranean peat fires continue to smoulder out of sight, poisoning the air with millennia-old carbon particles.

"It's like tear gas," said Dwi Sujatmoko, a 35-year-old volunteer firefighter who has spent more than a month fighting the flames. "It hits your nose straight away, your eyes burn. People say these fires are extraordinary because of the flames and the smoke. And they're right."

Armed with hand tools, carts and portable fire pumps, the volunteers are up against an inferno that has carbonised large swaths of forest and farmland since early July. Underground peat fires, which can persist for weeks or months, continue to smoulder, releasing toxic fumes and making containment difficult.

Sujatmoko warned of the broader consequences: "Once a fire becomes uncontrolled, it harms many people. Not just humans, but also animals and plants. If underground fire spreads and can no longer be controlled, the losses are enormous."

The blazes highlight the acute vulnerability of Indonesia's peatlands, which store vast amounts of carbon. When drained and set alight, they can burn for extended periods, releasing immense quantities of greenhouse gases and hazardous particulate matter. The health impacts on local communities and the economic toll from disrupted air travel and daily life remain unclear, but volunteer responders are already reporting respiratory and eye irritation from prolonged exposure to the toxic haze.

Why This Matters

Peat fires in Indonesia are a major source of global carbon emissions, releasing ancient carbon stores that took millennia to accumulate.
The transboundary haze affects millions across Southeast Asia, causing health emergencies and economic disruption.
Volunteer firefighters, often with inadequate equipment, are bearing the burden of a crisis that requires coordinated government and international response.

Background

Indonesia's peatlands are among the world's largest carbon sinks, but drainage for agriculture — particularly palm oil and pulpwood plantations — makes them highly flammable during dry seasons. El Niño conditions often exacerbate drought, leading to catastrophic fires such as those in 2015 and 2019, which caused billions of dollars in damage and widespread respiratory illness. Despite government pledges to restore peatlands and ban land clearing by fire, enforcement remains inconsistent.

Key Perspectives

Volunteer firefighters: They risk their health with minimal protective gear, driven by a sense of duty to protect their land, communities and ecosystems. They report symptoms such as burning eyes and respiratory trouble from prolonged exposure. Local indigenous communities (Dayak and Banjar): They are on the front lines, dependent on forests for livelihoods and facing displacement from uncontrolled fires. Critics and environmental groups: They argue that failure to enforce existing laws against land burning, and continued expansion of plantations on peat, perpetuates the crisis. The government's response is not detailed in this report, leaving questions about resource allocation and preventive measures.

What to Watch

Air quality index readings in affected cities across Kalimantan and neighbouring countries as the dry season continues.
Any official statements or actions from the Indonesian government on firefighting resources or enforcement.
Whether international assistance is requested or offered, as transboundary haze escalates diplomatic tensions.

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