Indonesia’s teenage ‘Superman’ taking on wildfires
Indonesia’s teenage ‘Superman’ taking on wildfires
Indonesian teenager Rudiyansah spends his free time after school helping to fight wildfires around Palangkaraya in Indonesia’s Central Kalimantan.
The 17-year-old has been helping his father’s volunteer firefighting group since 2023. This year, he decided to fight the fires dressed as his favourite hero, Superman.
Rudiyansah said dressing as the Man of Steel was “just for fun”, but videos of him using a hose to wet foliage have gone viral, garnering millions of views and earning him the title of “forest hero” from Indonesia’s forestry minister.
“Honestly, I’m really happy because I can help locals, even though it feels really tiring.”
The lack of water was the main challenge for firefighters, Mulyadi said, with wells and other water sources drying up during the drought.
