Superman Fights Borneo Wildfires in Cape

A teenager in Palangkaraya, Indonesia, has become a viral sensation for his unique approach to combating the island's devastating wildfires. Rudiyansah, 17, dons a Superman costume while volunteering with his father's firefighting group. Videos of him battling blazes have garnered millions of views, earning him widespread recognition.

Rudiyansah has been helping douse fires since 2023, but this year he chose his superhero attire for added impact. He described the experience as tiring but rewarding, emphasizing his happiness in assisting locals. He took precautions, wetting his costume to prevent burning and washing it nightly.

The current fire season's haze is the most severe experienced by local volunteer firefighters since their group was established in 2020. As of August 24, 2026, the situation remains critical, with over 200,000 hectares of land consumed by flames between January and July.

This year's burned area is triple the size of Jakarta and already surpasses the extent of previous El Nino-influenced fire seasons in 2019 and 2023. The Indonesian government has responded by deploying more troops and aircraft to control the fires and the resulting smog, which has also affected Malaysia.

The increased risk of wildfires is linked to the El Nino phenomenon, a natural climate pattern causing drought in Indonesia. Human-caused climate change is understood to amplify these effects, making extreme weather events more potent.