Story perspectives

Mandatory health screenings follow firefighter death on peatlands

9/7/2026

Summary

Rijani Collapses

Volunteer firefighter Akhmad Rijani died after collapsing on a peatland fire line, prompting mandatory health screenings.
Peatland fires have burned about 200,000 hectares since early July, releasing roughly 10% of 2015 crisis emissions.
Air-quality index reached hazardous levels, 780 in Palangkaraya and 593 in Pontianak.
Over 50,000 respiratory infections were recorded July-August, including more than 12,000 children under five.

Summary

Authorities Deploy Water-bombing

Project authorities asked the disaster mitigation agency to conduct cloud-seeding and water-bombing near the $32 billion Nusantara capital site.
Agus Riyanto announced a South Kalimantan helicopter will be deployed for water-bombing operations.
Indonesia operates 53 water-bombing and cloud-seeding aircraft, with Japan supplying additional planes and personnel.
Urban planner Wisnubroto Sarosa warned the forest-surrounded capital location limits water supplies and raises fire vulnerability.

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Rijani Collapses

Volunteer firefighter Akhmad Rijani died after collapsing on a peatland fire line, prompting mandatory health screenings.
Peatland fires have burned about 200,000 hectares since early July, releasing roughly 10% of 2015 crisis emissions.
Air-quality index reached hazardous levels, 780 in Palangkaraya and 593 in Pontianak.
Over 50,000 respiratory infections were recorded July-August, including more than 12,000 children under five.

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