Volunteers battle raging fires
Summary
Volunteer firefighters in Indonesia are battling widespread blazes across Borneo as thick smoke spreads over Borneo, Sumatra and neighboring countries. Experts warn the burning season could become as severe as 2015 amid the strong El Nino weather pattern.
Key Points
- Volunteer firefighter Kristoforus Sinyong and local colleagues are working through the night to contain fires in West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
- Thick smog from the blazes has blanketed parts of Borneo and Sumatra and drifted into Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines.
- Volunteers say they lack adequate training and equipment, relying on basic tools, water pumps and donated supplies from an environmental NGO.
- Nearly 300,000 hectares have burned in Indonesia this year, and experts warn the situation could worsen further.
