EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, CENTRAL KALIMANTAN — Kalimantan Haze continues to blanket parts of the island as forest and land fires rage across the region, posing serious health risks to residents amid a prolonged dry season.
According to data from the Ministry of Forestry’s Sipongi monitoring system, as reported by Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), 7,634.46 hectares of land have burned in Central Kalimantan.
Meanwhile, data cited by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) on Aug. 27, 2026, showed that BNPB had recorded 5,168 fire hotspots within the previous 24 hours. By the time the agency issued its report, they only able to handle 17.55 hectares through ground operations.
Authorities have also deployed an aerial patrol unit to support five firefighting operations. The operations use water bombing, in which specially equipped aircraft drop water over affected areas.
As Kalimantan haze grows thicker and the dry season persists, concerns have mounted over its impact on public health. The situation has prompted Muhammadiyah, through the Muhammadiyah Disaster Management Center (MDMC) and Lazismu Central Kalimantan, to step up its humanitarian response.
Muhammadiyah said it remains committed to supporting government efforts and working with various stakeholders to address the effects of the fires, particularly by protecting communities exposed to hazardous haze.
Muhammad Fitriani, Chairperson of Lazismu Central Kalimantan, said Thursday (27/8) that his organization continued to coordinate with the Central Kalimantan Muhammadiyah Provincial Board, MDMC, government agencies, and other groups as the haze increasingly disrupted daily life.
“We continue to coordinate with various parties, including the Central Kalimantan Muhammadiyah Provincial Board, MDMC, the government, and other elements to ensure that the response to the haze can proceed effectively,” he said.
Volunteers Join Fire Response
Evan Bastian, secretary of the MDMC of the Central Kalimantan Muhammadiyah Provincial Board, said Muhammadiyah had deployed volunteers to affected areas with support from Lazismu’s humanitarian fundraising efforts.
He reminded volunteers to prioritize their safety while working in the field.
“We stress to all volunteers that they must always prioritize their personal safety. Follow every operational procedure, use personal protective equipment, and coordinate with the Provincial Disaster Management Agency while following the chain of command in the field,” he said.
“Do not force yourselves to continue if conditions are considered highly dangerous, because safety is the priority.”
Anang Rahman, the coordinator of Lazismu Central Kalimantan volunteers, said the high number of forest and land fires, particularly in Palangka Raya, had prompted Muhammadiyah volunteers to join response efforts directly.
He said their presence reflected Muhammadiyah’s concern for affected communities and formed part of broader efforts to reduce the disaster’s impact.
“This is part of Muhammadiyah’s dakwah of amar makruf nahi mungkar,” Anang said.
Oxygen Shelters and Mobile Services
Fitriani added that Muhammadiyah had launched several disaster-response services through its Indonesia Siaga program, including deploying volunteers to assist with firefighting and cooling operations at several fire sites.
“Through One Muhammadiyah One Response, or OMOR, Muhammadiyah has provided oxygen shelters, mobile oxygen services, vitamins and nutritional support for firefighters and volunteers, masks, and health services for the public,” he said.
The Central Kalimantan Muhammadiyah Provincial Board has carried out firefighting operations at several locations in Palangka Raya and East Kotawaringin. It has also opened oxygen shelters at the Central Kalimantan and East Kotawaringin Muhammadiyah Dakwah Buildings.
Mobile oxygen services have been stationed at strategic locations, including crowded public areas, intersections, and firefighting sites. Muhammadiyah has also distributed nutritional assistance to residents, firefighters, and volunteers working on the front lines.
Through collaboration between MDMC, Lazismu, volunteers, and other partners, Muhammadiyah continues to work to ensure that communities affected by the fires receive protection and support while strengthening the humanitarian response to the growing haze threat.
