EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, WEST KALIMANTAN — Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center (MDMC), through its West Kalimantan Provincial Board, has responded to wildfire in several parts of Kubu Raya Regency.
The response has included patrols, field assessments and monitoring, as well as firefighting operations. The teams have focused on containing the fires before they spread and threaten nearby communities.
Several areas have drawn particular attention. These include Parit Seruat, the area around State Senior High School 4 in Sungai Raya, behind the Taman Bumi Serdam housing complex, the Rasau Jaya Landfill and the area around the Kubu Raya Agriculture and Food Security Office. Fires were reported at these locations between July 14 & 22, July 25 & 30, and August 4 & 6, 2026.
Monitoring Fires Near Communities.
Based on field assessments and reports collected by the teams, no deaths, injuries, or missing persons have been reported. The damage has so far been limited to forests and areas of shrubs. No Muhammadiyah schools, health facilities, or other institutions have been reported affected.
MDMC West Kalimantan began its response in early July and has continued monitoring through August 21. Teams have focused on areas where fires could potentially spread, particularly near residential neighborhoods and educational facilities in Sungai Raya.
MDMC has coordinated its operations with the Kubu Raya Disaster Management Agency, the West Kalimantan Disaster Management Agency, the Indonesian military and police, Manggala Agni, and local volunteer firefighting teams. The coordination aims to strengthen fire monitoring, speed up the response to emerging hotspots and reduce the risk of fires spreading.
The field response has involved the Muhammadiyah Search and Rescue team of West Kalimantan MDMC, the Assessment team of West Kalimantan MDMC, and members of the Muhammadiyah University Student Association in Pontianak.
In addition to the firefighting, the teams have assessed conditions on the ground to identify the needs of residents affected by the Kalimantan wildfire. Those needs include masks for residents, meals, vitamins, and supplies. Teams also require fuel for firefighting equipment and operational vehicles, media equipment, and additional vehicles with high-capacity firefighting pumps with supporting equipment.
Equipment Shortages Hamper the Response
Despite the ongoing response, teams continue to face several challenges in the field. Limited operational vehicles and firefighting capacity have made it more difficult to reach and contain some hotspots. The teams also lack supporting equipment, including drone cameras that could help identify fire locations from the air. Protective equipment for volunteers remains another need.
Muhammadiyah’s response to the fires forms part of its broader effort to protect communities and the environment from disasters.
MDMC West Kalimantan continues to monitor fire activity and coordinate with government agencies, security forces, and local volunteers. The goal is to ensure that hotspots are contained before they spread and pose greater risks to nearby communities.
MDMC West Kalimantan said it would continue monitoring developments and strengthening coordination with relevant authorities and community groups. The effort is intended to reduce risks to residents while limiting further environmental damage in affected areas.
