Indonesia’s worst wildfires in a decade have erupted across Borneo and Sumatra, and the smoke is already affecting nearby countries. The crisis puts both endangered orangutans and human health at risk.

The intense wildfires started in July and, according to a government warning, could last until November because a severe El Niño pattern is making the dry season harsher. From January to July 2023 the fires burned about 202,000 hectares, and non‑governmental organisations estimate that at least another 600,000 hectares have burned since then.

Orangutans are being forced out of their shrinking forest fragments, losing food and shelter. Sanchez warned that the apes may suffer starvation and respiratory problems, a risk illustrated by the death of Sampurna, who died less than 12 hours after rescue with very dark lungs, similar to a heavy smoker. The haze from the fires has also spread to Singapore and the Malaysian peninsula, closing some schools and causing a rise in respiratory illnesses.

When volunteers receive reports of orangutan sightings, they first fly a drone to map the burnt area, then move in with tranquilizers and sometimes a net to capture the animals. The foundation employs more than 200 staff, including firefighters and veterinarians, to carry out these rescues. According to foundation spokesperson Heribertus Suciadi, YIARI is now caring for 90 orangutans after rescuing 49 since August.

The worsening fires therefore threaten the survival of the already endangered orangutans and create a public‑health problem that reaches far beyond the forest. Protecting the habitat and controlling the smoke are essential for both wildlife and the people living in the region.