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Kalimantan wildfires impact millions and threaten wildlife
Severe forest and land fires across Indonesia, particularly in Kalimantan, have caused significant environmental and health crises. Satellite data indicates that over 74,000 hectares of land have been burned, with WALHI recording thousands of hotspots, many of which are located within corporate forestry and palm oil concessions.
The Ministry of Health reports that more than 5 million people are affected by unhealthy air quality. In response, various organizations and local governments are providing aid, including the distribution of masks and the operation of oxygen stations in Central Kalimantan.
The fires have also severely impacted wildlife. An adult male orangutan named Sampurna was rescued by BKSDA and YIARI in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, after being found weak and suffering from respiratory issues due to thick smoke exposure.
While some regions like South Sumatra have seen an 88 percent decrease in burned areas over three years due to improved mitigation, other areas face ongoing threats. Authorities are investigating potential intentional burning, and there are calls to declare the situation a national disaster.
Entities
BKSDA · BKSDA West Kalimantan · Dayak Youth West Kalimantan · Kalimantan · Ketapang · Ministry of Health · Pacitan · Sampurna · WALHI · West Kalimantan · YIARI
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Intentional forest and land burning in Pacitan can result in up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to Rp10 billion.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Forest and land fires are impacting health, education, economy, transportation, and the environment. www.riau1.com · muhammadiyah.or.id
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Dayak Youth West Kalimantan is urging the central government to declare the forest and land fires in West Kalimantan a national disaster.
- [● 5 SOURCES] The orangutan suffered from hypoxia due to thick smoke exposure. katadata.co.id · thebalitimes.com · en.tempo.co
- [● 8 SOURCES] An orangutan named Sampurna was found weak in a palm oil plantation in Ketapang, West Kalimantan, due to thick smoke. katadata.co.id · en.tempo.co · thebalitimes.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sampurna is the seventh orangutan rescued by YIARI due to forest and land fires. katadata.co.id · en.tempo.co
- [● 5 SOURCES] The orangutan is suspected to be suffering from an acute respiratory infection. katadata.co.id · thebalitimes.com · en.tempo.co
- [● 8 SOURCES] BKSDA West Kalimantan and YIARI rescued an adult male orangutan found in weak condition in Ketapang, West Kalimantan. katadata.co.id · thebalitimes.com · en.tempo.co
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Ministry of Health reported that more than 5 million people are affected by the unhealthy air quality in Kalimantan. www.riau1.com · muhammadiyah.or.id
- [● 2 SOURCES] Satellite monitoring shows 74,640.61 hectares of land have been burned in Kalimantan. www.riau1.com · muhammadiyah.or.id
- [○ 1 SOURCE] WALHI recorded 6,902 hotspots between August 25 and 31, 2026, with Kalimantan having the highest concentration. disway.id