Several hotspots continue to emerge in Sekabuk Village, Sadaniang Subdistrict, Mempawah Regency. These conditions have highlighted the need for firefighting equipment that enables local communities to respond quickly to fires, particularly in areas located far from available water sources.
In response, Gemawan, in collaboration with KitaBisa, distributed firefighting equipment to residents of Sekabuk Village on Wednesday (September 16, 2026). The assistance included a firefighting water pump, hoses and nozzles, masks, vitamins, and other supporting supplies to help volunteer firefighters and local communities tackle fires on the ground.
The assistance is particularly important given the diverse characteristics of the affected areas. In addition to plantations and areas surrounding hauling roads, fires have also occurred in peatland areas bordering neighboring villages.
Andas Saputra, Head of Sekabuk Village, explained that fires had broken out in several locations with varying terrain conditions.
“This year’s fires in Sekabuk Village could be considered quite extensive. Fires have occurred in several locations, including plantation areas and along the hauling road of PT Antam Tbk. During road construction, waste disposal areas also caught fire. The third location is a peatland area along the borders between Sekabuk and Bumbun villages, as well as between Sekabuk and Pasir villages,” he explained.
According to Andas, these conditions have increased the community’s need for adequate firefighting equipment to accelerate emergency responses, particularly in hard-to-reach locations.
Residents Begin to Experience the Impacts of Forest and Land Fires
Forest and land fires have affected not only the environment but also the health of local communities. The smoke blanketing affected areas has become an additional concern for residents who carry out their daily activities near fire locations.
Teresiayati, a Sekabuk resident and leader of a local women’s group, said that the haze had begun to affect her health and that of other community members.
“In my view, the first impact of forest and land fires on me and the community is environmental. We know that the current haze is extremely harmful to our health. I myself have been affected. I was previously healthy, but because of these environmental conditions, the situation has now become very detrimental to the community,” she said.
For this reason, the assistance provided included not only firefighting equipment but also masks and vitamins to support community health, particularly for residents and volunteers directly involved in firefighting operations.
Strengthening Access to Water Sources
In addition to distributing firefighting equipment, Gemawan conducted a site assessment to identify potential locations for drilling water wells in Sekabuk Village.
Access to reliable water sources is essential for tackling forest and land fires, particularly when hotspots are located far from existing water supplies. The proposed drilled wells are expected to provide supporting infrastructure, allowing communities to access water closer to fire-prone areas.
Hermawansyah, a member of Gemawan’s Governing Board, said the assistance was part of the organization’s broader efforts, alongside other civil society groups, to respond to forest and land fires at the grassroots level.
“In response to this year’s forest and land fires, Gemawan and other civil society organizations have not remained passive in the face of the crisis. We have mobilized resources to assist affected communities, including by strengthening our partnership with KitaBisa, a philanthropic organization that manages public donations. This collaboration is particularly intended to support communities working tirelessly on the ground to extinguish fires,” he said.
According to Hermawansyah, Gemawan continues to monitor fire conditions in its partner villages while identifying urgent needs that require immediate attention.
“Gemawan continues to monitor developments in our partner villages while assessing urgent needs that must be addressed immediately. One example is Sekabuk Village in Sadaniang Subdistrict, Mempawah Regency. Given the limited resources available to local communities, Gemawan and KitaBisa have provided a set of firefighting equipment to support residents’ efforts to combat land fires,” he explained.
He added that the assistance is expected not only to help communities deal with ongoing fires but also to strengthen their preparedness for potential future incidents.
“The monetary value of this assistance may not be substantial, but in times of crisis, even the smallest gesture of care and support can encourage communities in their efforts to tackle forest and land fires at the grassroots level,” Hermawansyah said.
Continued Public Support Is Needed
The ongoing forest and land fires across several areas demonstrate that grassroots communities still require support to address emergency conditions. Their needs include firefighting equipment, health protection supplies, and improved access to water sources.
For residents of Sekabuk Village, having adequate firefighting equipment and water sources closer to fire-prone areas is essential to enabling faster responses when new hotspots emerge.
Gemawan, together with KitaBisa and other civil society organizations, will continue to monitor the needs of affected communities. Public donations will be directed toward addressing urgent needs, particularly those of residents and volunteers directly involved in firefighting operations.
This support is expected to strengthen community capacity to respond to forest and land fires while ensuring that residents on the front lines of firefighting efforts do not have to face the crisis alone.