Makassar, S Sulawesi, Oct. 30 -- South Sulawesi Governor Andi Sudirman Sulaiman has provided financial and educational assistance to the children of a 45-year-old firefighter who died while battling forest and land fires in North Toraja.

Andi delivered the assistance during a visit to the late Padayya Mangampang's family home in North Toraja, according to a statement issued in Makassar on Friday.

"On behalf of the South Sulawesi provincial government, we extend our deepest condolences. He dedicated himself to protecting forests and the environment. His death is a loss for us all," Andi said.

Padayya died after being struck by a falling tree while trying to extinguish forest and land fires in Lembang Nanna', Nanggala Subdistrict, North ...