Indonesia's forest fires and haze: 50,000 respiratory cases reported, Orangutan evacuated

A medical team from the Indonesian Animal Rescue Alliance Foundation (YIARI) examines Sampurna, an adult male orangutan found unconscious due to haze in West Kalimantan (30/8/2026). ANTARA FOTO

YOGYAKARTA, Sept 4 (TokoKata) — Forest and peatland fires continued to spread across parts of Indonesia, sending thick smoke into populated areas and neighbouring regions as authorities reported tens of thousands of respiratory infections linked to deteriorating air quality.

The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) recorded forest and land fires in several provinces during the 24 hours to 7 a.m. local time on Thursday, including Aceh, Lampung, Central Java, East Java, East Kalimantan, Southeast Sulawesi, North Sulawesi and North Maluku.

The agency urged residents to remain vigilant during the dry season, which authorities said was being influenced by El Nino conditions.

Residents were advised not to clear land by burning and to handle household waste carefully to prevent fires, said Berton SP Panjaitan, acting head of BNPB's disaster data, information and communications centre.

"We urge the public to continue increasing vigilance and preparedness against potential disasters, particularly in areas under emergency alerts for drought and forest and land fires," Berton said.

Residents were also asked to immediately report any fire hotspots to local disaster management agencies.

Hundreds of hectares burned

West Kalimantan recorded 46 fire hotspots, with more than 528 hectares burned, BNPB said. Firefighters had extinguished more than 354 hectares, while air quality remained at a hazardous level and visibility was below 1 km.

Central Kalimantan recorded 72 hotspots covering about 739 hectares, of which more than 459 hectares had been extinguished.

In South Kalimantan, authorities detected 31 hotspots and reported about 551 hectares of burned land, with 103 hectares extinguished.

Riau recorded six hotspots covering about 159 hectares, with 39 hectares extinguished. Air quality ranged from moderate to unhealthy, while visibility remained above 9 km.

Jambi recorded seven hotspots and about 18.5 hectares of burned land, with 15.5 hectares extinguished.

South Sumatra recorded 20 hotspots covering about 98.5 hectares. About 26.5 hectares had been extinguished, while air quality ranged from moderate to unhealthy and visibility stood at between 5 km and 7 km.

Respiratory infections rise

Indonesia's Health Ministry recorded 50,891 cases of acute respiratory infection, or ISPA, in areas affected by forest and land fires during July and August.

Of those cases, 12,600 involved children under five years old, while 38,291 were recorded among people aged five and above, said Andi Saguni, director-general for disease prevention and control at the Health Ministry.

Respiratory infections are not necessarily confined to areas where air pollution readings are high or fires are directly burning, as smoke can be carried by winds into neighbouring areas, Andi said.

In Padang, West Sumatra, local health officials reported a significant increase in respiratory infections following a deterioration in air quality.

"If someone contracts ISPA, cases naturally occur in daily conditions as well. But compared with the week before the decline in air quality, we have seen an increase in ISPA cases recorded by health facilities," Padang health agency chief Srikurnia Yati told Kompas.com.

More than 200,000 hectares burned

The Forestry Ministry estimated that forest and land fires had affected 202,010.96 hectares across Indonesia between January and July 2026.

August figures were still being calculated by a team involving the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Forestry Ministry and the Environment Ministry.

The fires have caused serious ecological damage, including the destruction of habitats and the deaths of wildlife, said Dwi Januanto Nugroho, director-general of forestry law enforcement at the Forestry Ministry.

"Forest and land fires have serious impacts on the ecological aspect. During firefighting activities, we have found many animals and their habitats damaged or killed, including environmental ecosystems that have suffered damage," Dwi said.

The fires have also caused broader social impacts, affecting health and education and disrupting development activities, he said.

Smoke disrupts flights, threatens wildlife

In Pontianak, West Kalimantan, thick smoke disrupted daily activities and affected air travel.

A passenger travelling from Jakarta said his flight was delayed until the afternoon because of poor visibility at Supadio Airport, where smoke was visible around the runway.

The passenger, identified as Ryan, 33, according to Kompas.com, said the haze was significantly thicker than the pollution he normally experiences in Jakarta.

The fires have also killed wildlife. Three snakes were found burned to death in land affected by fires in Kuala Dua village, Sungai Raya, Kubu Raya, according to Manggala Agni firefighters conducting cooling operations at the site.

In Central Kalimantan's East Kotawaringin district, a mother orangutan named Raya and her offspring Rayu were rescued as fire and deteriorating environmental conditions threatened their habitat.

Fire also threatened to spread toward the Labanan Special Purpose Forest Area in Berau, East Kalimantan, which serves as an orangutan rehabilitation centre. Ash from the fires had entered the animal enclosures, according to officials.

In Ketapang, West Kalimantan, six orangutans had been evacuated after leaving their forest habitat and entering plantation areas.

The fires come as Indonesia faces heightened wildfire risks during the dry season, with authorities working to contain hotspots while limiting the impact of smoke on public health, transportation, and wildlife.