Firefighting volunteers seek flying camp, operating funds in Tanjung Puting

Forest and land fire volunteers asked for operating funds, logistics and a field post closer to the fire points in an online meeting with Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni on October 12, 2026. The meeting was held ahead of a review of firefighting efforts at Taman Nasional Tanjung Puting, Kalimantan Tengah. Conservation Action Network Borneo founder Paulinus Kristanto said the volunteers proposed a flying camp so fire teams could stay closer to the blaze, along with a main post in Pangkalan Bun to strengthen coordination with Balai Taman Nasional Tanjung Puting and BPBD. He said Raja Juli asked the park office to follow up on the coordination. Paulinus also said the budget dispute referred to limits on support funds for volunteers' operations, not to the absence of funding for forest fire response. Deputy Forestry Minister Rohmat Marzuki was said to have explained that the presidential aid proposal has been submitted and still needs coordination with local governments.