Forest Fire Volunteer in Central Kalimantan Passes Away After Struggling with Shortness of Breath

A volunteer firefighter who was actively fighting forest and land fires has passed away. Ahmadin, also known as Itam Madin bin Gusti Djamliansyah, had been receiving treatment at the Sultan Imanudin Regional General Hospital in Pangkalan Bun, West Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan.

Ahmadin was a volunteer with the Huma Singgah Itah Fire Brigade and was involved in managing forest and land fires in the West Kotawaringin area. After performing duties in high-risk conditions, he required medical attention at the hospital a week ago due to shortness of breath caused by smoke inhalation.

However, Ahmadin’s condition subsequently deteriorated. He breathed his last on Sunday night (30/08/2026). The Head of the West Kotawaringin Fire and Rescue Service, Dwi Agus Suhartono, confirmed the sad news.

“He has returned to the mercy of Allah. He was buried today,” said Dwi on Monday (31/08/2026).

Dwi explained that previously, two members of the Forest and Land Fire Task Force required treatment at the Sultan Imanudin Regional General Hospital, with Ahmadin being one of them. However, his struggle ended after he was declared deceased, while another officer remains under medical care.

“Ahmadin’s passing is a blow to his family, fellow volunteers, and the officers who have been fighting to manage the forest fires,” he said.

Amidst the fire season affecting several areas of West Kotawaringin, volunteers must work under difficult conditions. Heat, smoke, inaccessible terrain, and health threats are part of the risks they must face in the field.

For the public, a fire spot might only appear as a plume of smoke from a distance. However, for the officers, every fire spot represents heavy work that must be immediately controlled to prevent it from spreading to other areas.