19/10/2026
🔥 The situation in Indonesia continues to be extremely serious. Orangutan Outreach is keeping our Fire Fund webpage updated with news from all of our partners. Visit redapes.org/fire-fund/ for the latest updates from the field.
🔥 While the fires are very dangerous, the smoke and haze are of great concern. This photo is from Borneo Nature Foundation, taken at their research station Camp LAHG in Sebangau National Park in Central Kalimantan. The image was taken by staff member, Berni. In Berni’s own words:
🔥 "I took this photo in the LAHG in 2015, during the peak of the fire season, while we were fighting fires inside the Sebangau forest. This orangutan had been wandering around our camp for several days, maybe displaced or disoriented by the fires and thick smoke. The photograph was intended to show something we often forget when we talk about wildfires, haze affects wildlife too. Orangutans breathe the same polluted air we do. Research has shown that prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke can affect their behaviour, activity, energy balance and vocalisations. And yes, that orange-yellow light is real. When the haze becomes extremely thick, sunlight is filtered through the smoke and everything turns orange.”
🔥 And here we are in 2026. Today the hazardous air, especially in Central Kalimantan, persists. The sky often glows ominously with a deep orange haze. In the neighboring Southeast Asian countries of Singapore and Malaysia, the wind has brought the haze as well. The fires in Indonesia are so profound that even residents of the neighboring countries are now breathing in very unhealthy air.
🔥 Please stay informed about this crisis and educate others of the dire situation. We all must come together to help.
Photo ©BNF
