Indonesian Teen in Superman Suit Joins Nationwide Wildfire Fight Across Borneo, Smog Spreads to Malaysia

A 17-year-old student from Palangka Raya, Rudiyansah, has become a widely watched figure in Indonesia’s battle against wildfires, joining a local volunteer firefighting group started by his father to douse peatland fires while wearing a bright Superman costume. Video of him using a hose to wet foliage has gone viral, drawing praise from the forestry minister and turning him into a symbol of community effort amid one of the nation’s worst fire seasons. He says dressing as the Man of Steel was mainly for fun, though he also takes precautions to protect his costume, and he has been helping after school since 2023 while pursuing his dream of becoming a forest ranger. Fire conditions have been dire, with water sources drying up and blazes spreading across large areas, including more than 200,000 hectares burned in the January–July period in Central Kalimantan and significant fires in Lampung’s Way Kambas National Park where teams rely on manual firefighting due to difficult terrain. The story showcases cross-regional wildfire challenges in Indonesia and highlights youthful community involvement as authorities work to mitigate air quality impacts from the smog that affects neighboring countries as well.