When the Forest Burns, Yeye Faces Fire and Residents' Complaints

Extinguish the fire with limited water

To reach the fire point, you must travel on foot through the forest area. The distance can reach many kilometers.

When you arrive at the location, water may not be available. In these limited conditions, officers extinguished them manually using tree branches. Strong winds are the next challenge because the embers can re-ignite and prolong the work.

Assignments may also require them to spend the night in the woods with limited drinking water supplies. Meanwhile, exposure to smoke and heavy physical activity begins to affect the body.

"During the blackout process we also experienced health problems, shortness of breath, sometimes dry throats," said Yeye.

According to him, officers were given time to rest after five days on duty. This shift gives them the opportunity to recover before returning to work in the field.

Smoke reaching the house

Under normal circumstances, Yeye can go home to see his family in Pontianak once a month. However, the forest and land fire alert meant he had to stay at the assignment post longer.

The distance felt even harder when he found out that his wife and child were also sick due to the smoke haze. The telephone becomes a connection with the family as well as an encouragement to continue the task.