Kalimantan Orangutan Center Threatened by Wildfire

A wildfire reached an orangutan rehabilitation center in Indonesian Borneo, requiring emergency response to protect over 60 rescued animals as fire season intensifies.

A wildfire came within meters of an orangutan rehabilitation center in Indonesian Borneo, prompting emergency efforts to protect more than 60 rescued orangutans. The fire on July 22, 2026, occurred about one kilometer from the facility in Sungai Awan Kiri village, Ketapang district, West Kalimantan province.

Nearly 100 personnel from government agencies, the military, police, and the nonprofit YIARI fought for hours to stop the flames. YIARI CEO Karmele Llano Sánchez told Mongabay that the fire reached the boundary of the center’s land. She stated that a quick response prevented destruction of part of the facility. YIARI program operations director Argitoe Ranting confirmed that all animals remain safe and are monitored by staff.

The incident highlights a growing threat as a strengthening El Niño fuels fires across Indonesian Borneo. Prolonged drought and expanding land clearing are driving orangutans from their forest habitat. Earlier in July, a wild male orangutan named Wak was rescued from farmland near fires in Kuala Tolak village, also in Ketapang. YIARI chair Silverius Oscar Unggul noted that fires force orangutans into human settlements, increasing conflict.

Conservationists warn that repeated fire seasons undermine years of rehabilitation and habitat restoration. YIARI previously stated that a strong El Niño could erase past conservation work. The organization has purchased additional firefighting equipment but lacks sufficient personnel and funding if fires intensify.

Indonesia’s weather agency, BMKG, forecasts an intensified dry season due to a powerful El Niño. In Ketapang, there has been no rain for over 40 days, with none predicted, according to Llano Sánchez. Environmental NGO Madani Berkelanjutan estimates nearly 220,000 hectares burned across Indonesia between January and July this year, with West Kalimantan recording the largest burned area.

For jungle travelers and hosts, these fires represent a direct threat to the natural environments and wildlife that draw visitors to the region.