TNI Command and Staff College Students Involved in Forest and Land Fire Management
Students from the TNI Command and Staff College (Sesko TNI) have been involved in the management of forest and land fires (karhutla) and haze in South Kalimantan. A number of students from the LVI Regular Course of Sesko TNI have been specifically deployed to South Kalimantan to assist in handling forest and land fires in the region.
Upon their arrival on Sunday (30/08/2026), the team received a briefing from the Commander of the 101/Antasari Military District, Brigadier General TNI Ilham Yunus, regarding the regional situation in South Kalimantan and the development of the forest fires.
Based on regional sector divisions, Sesko TNI students are conducting educational outreach and inspections across various areas in South Kalimantan, organised into small groups of four to five students each. The primary focus for these officers is the management of forest fires, which have a widespread impact on the community, the environment, the economy, and regional security and safety.
One of the activities undertaken by the TNI students in South Kalimantan is providing socialisation to the public and students in schools. For instance, on Wednesday (02/09/2026) afternoon, several TNI students conducted an educational session at SMAN 5 Banjarbaru.
The session focused on the specific characteristics of peatlands in South Kalimantan, where grass roots can act as a wick during the dry season, spreading into the ground and triggering extensive fires.
“What we explained and emphasised today were truly implementable matters. We provided an overview of why peatlands in Kalimantan have different characteristics compared to other regions, making fires extremely dangerous,” said a representative of the TNI students, Colonel Inf Iman Widhiarto.
Beyond Banjarbaru, the LVI Regular Course team from Sesko TNI has been deployed to various other areas in South Kalimantan, including Barito Kuala (Batola), Tanah Laut (Tala), Tapin, and Banjar Regency.
“Currently, there are four large teams deployed across East Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan. In South Kalimantan, there are 23 personnel divided into five teams: one in Banjarbaru city, and others in Banjar, Tanah Laut, Tapin, and Batola,” he added.
In addition to school outreach, since arriving in South Kalimantan, the TNI student team has also directly visited fire sites, such as the Guntung Damar area near the primary zone of the Banjarbaru airport, and participated in other impactful activities.
The Principal of SMAN 5 Banjarbaru, Indriaty Ermayani, noted that the socialisation provided by the Sesko TNI students is highly beneficial for increasing student knowledge amidst the high incidence of forest fires in Banjarbaru. She noted that students welcomed the presence of the TNI personnel with enthusiasm, hoping the activity would foster awareness and care regarding fire prevention in both homes and schools.
“We hope our children become more aware of their surrounding environments, both at home and at school, regarding the current fire hazards,” said Indriyately.
Similarly, a student from SMAN 5 Banjarbaru, Rezeki Chelsea Lumban Gaol, stated that the material provided significantly increased their knowledge regarding forest fires and the characteristics of flammable land. “I realise that forest fires are not just an ordinary phenomenon, but it is a call for us to play a more active role so that the occurrence of these fires can be reduced,” said Rezeki.