An Oasis Amidst Forest Fires: Simpur Village Consistently Maintains Fire-Free Status
For approximately two months, forest and land fires (karhutla) have been affecting parts of Indonesia, including Central Kalimantan. However, amidst the ecological disasters striking the Borneo region, some areas remain consistently free from fire.
That area is Simpur Village in the Kota Besi District, East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan. For years, approximately 566 residents living in the village, which covers about 3,600 hectares, have worked hand-in-hand to keep their territory free from forest and land fires.
The Head of Simpur Village, Khairil Anwar, stated that prevention efforts are carried out consistently by involving the community. According to him, the village government routinely provides socialisation, especially during the land clearing season. He even frequently goes directly to the fields to meet residents and remind them of the importance of preventing fires.
“Regarding the fire-free community programme, we usually conduct socialisation for all levels of society every year. Furthermore, during the land clearing period, we go directly to the fields, using a persuasive approach and communication to invite them as best as possible to maintain their land so that it does not burn,” said Khairil on Friday (11/09/2026).
According to Khairil, this direct approach is essential to build a shared perception between the village government and the community. Residents are encouraged to understand the impacts of fires, which not only damage the environment but also cause significant losses to the community.
He claimed that since assuming office as village head in 2018, there have been no fires caused by the residents of Simpur Village. Prevention efforts are further strengthened by the provision of five water pumps, or ‘alkon’, which are ready for use should a fire occur at any time.
Additionally, the village government, together with the community, conducts rotating patrols during the dry season. These patrols are part of the effort to ensure that no potential fire escapes monitoring.
The Head of the Simpur Village Patrol Team, Syahril Fitriansyah, stated that the rotating patrol system has been in place since 2023. This follows an incident in that year when forest and land fires originating from outside the village hit the area. Since then, patrol members have conducted monitoring from morning until night using a shift system, particularly during the dry season.