Forest and land fires (karhutla) that broke out in Berau, East Kalimantan, have been confirmed not to pose a threat to the habitat of the region’s endangered orangutan population.
Indonesia’s Minister of Forestry, Raja Juli Antoni, conducted a direct inspection of the fire-affected areas in Berau, East Kalimantan, confirming that the fires had not endangered orangutan habitat in the region.
Protecting Wildlife Alongside Communities
“Today I came to Berau to make sure that these forest and land fires don’t just negatively impact the community, but also don’t end up harming our wildlife, especially the orangutans that are a source of pride for East Kalimantan, Berau, and even the world,” the Minister said in Berau on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
He explained that the government continues working to anticipate, prevent, and extinguish forest and land fires. According to him, this year’s weather conditions warrant serious attention, as El Niño arrived earlier than expected and at a notably strong intensity, according to Indonesia’s meteorological agency (BMKG).
“We know that this year’s fires are linked to extraordinary climate change. El Niño typically arrives once every four years, we recorded it in 2015, then it jumped to 2019, then 2023. Based on that pattern, it shouldn’t have arrived again until next year, but climate change is very real,” he said.
Wildlife Protection as Part of Fire Response
The Minister emphasized that wildlife protection remains a critical part of the broader fire response effort. Areas serving as habitat for wildlife, particularly orangutans, need to be safeguarded to prevent fire damage.
“We also need to actively protect this area from fires through routine patrols,” he said.
A Dedicated Conservation Corridor
The government has established a preservation corridor within the Kelawit landscape specifically to protect orangutan habitat. This effort is being carried out in collaboration with the Long Sam Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (PRS Long Sam), managed by the Conservation Action Network (CAN), along with other conservation organizations.
Why This Matters for Kalimantan’s Ecotourism
Berau is home to some of Kalimantan’s most significant orangutan populations, making it an increasingly important destination for wildlife-focused travel and ecotourism. Confirmation that the region’s fires haven’t reached critical orangutan habitat is welcome news not just for conservation efforts, but for the growing number of travelers drawn to Kalimantan specifically to see orangutans in the wild, a reminder of how closely fire prevention and ecotourism sustainability are linked in this part of Indonesia.
