Forest and land fires in Indonesia are continuing to expand, with thousands of hectares burned across several provinces and increasing concerns over their impact on wildlife, communities and air quality.
The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) recorded that West Kalimantan had the largest burned area as of 9 August 2026, at more than 28,000 hectares. Central Kalimantan followed with more than 3,000 hectares, while South Kalimantan recorded approximately 383 hectares.
The fires have also raised concerns about the survival of orangutans, whose habitats are increasingly affected by recurring forest and land fires.
The Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (YIARI) said recurring fires in Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan, have contributed to a prolonged cycle of conflict between orangutans and local communities.
YIARI Chairman Silverius Oscar Unggul said uncontrolled land clearing through burning had accelerated the destruction and fragmentation of orangutan habitats.
“Uncontrolled land clearing using fire triggers blazes that destroy orangutan habitats. When forests burn and become fragmented, orangutans lose their food and shelter, ultimately being driven into residents’ plantations,” he said, as quoted by Antara.
As forests are destroyed, orangutans can lose access to food and shelter and may enter plantations in search of resources.
This can result in damaged crops and increased concern among residents, while wildlife faces further pressure from habitat loss.
Silverius said the situation leaves both communities and orangutans as victims of the same practices.
“This means that both orangutans and local communities are victims of the same practices. This situation also places a heavy burden on the state, ranging from managing wildlife conflicts, extinguishing fires, and field monitoring to translocation and habitat restoration,” he said.
He warned that the situation in Ketapang had developed beyond an environmental concern and was increasingly affecting public safety.
“Even more concerning, the fires in Ketapang have become extremely serious and have even claimed human lives. This is no longer just an environmental issue; it is a crisis affecting human safety, wildlife, and the future of our landscape,” he stated.
YIARI records show that orangutan rescues linked to major fires have occurred before. In Kuala Tolak Village and surrounding areas, the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and YIARI rescued several orangutans during major fires in 2015 and 2019.
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Indonesia Steps Up Fire Response as Haze Spreads
The scale of the fires has prompted the government to strengthen its response in six priority provinces: Riau, Jambi and South Sumatra in Sumatra, as well as West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan.
According to data from the Ministry of Forestry, 107,465 hectares of land were burned between January and June 2026. This was a 110% increase compared with the same period in 2023, when Indonesia was also affected by El Niño.
Indonesia is experiencing a longer and drier season this year as El Niño increases the risk of drought, forest fires and air pollution. The government has deployed aircraft for weather modification operations in an effort to encourage rainfall in affected areas.
“We are on alert because current weather conditions are indeed conducive to the spread of fires,” Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago told reporters on Monday, 10 August.
He said there were indications that El Niño may have reached its peak intensity in Indonesia.
The government has deployed 43 helicopters and 15 fixed-wing aircraft to support firefighting operations. Fires have also been reported in parts of Java, Papua and Nusa Tenggara.
In Pontianak, West Kalimantan, worsening air quality caused by haze prompted the city government to move all student learning activities online.
The impact of the fires has also extended beyond Indonesia’s borders. Transboundary haze from fires in Kalimantan began affecting parts of Malaysia on Wednesday, 12 August, with smoke reported in several areas and visibility and air quality deteriorating.
With fires continuing during the dry season, authorities face the combined challenge of protecting communities, containing the spread of fires and preventing further damage to forests that provide essential habitat for orangutans and other wildlife.
