--- title: "Severe Wildfire Season Hits Indonesia Amid El Niño Conditions" url: https://newscentral.site/severe-wildfire-season-hits-indonesia-amid-el-nino-conditions/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Science" published: 2026-10-29T22:00:14.000Z updated: 2026-10-30T00:49:31.551Z id: fcda17bb-6cdc-4ec7-bbc8-509cf5d99dce source: "Phys.org https://phys.org/news/2026-10-borneo-wildfires-impact-orangutans.html" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/severe-wildfire-season-hits-indonesia-amid-el-nino-conditions/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Severe Wildfire Season Hits Indonesia Amid El Niño Conditions Widespread wildfires in Indonesia's Kalimantan region have significant impacts on human health and the environment. Indonesia is grappling with one of its most severe wildfire seasons in over a decade, as El Niño conditions intensify drought across the region. The island of Borneo is among the areas hardest hit by the fires, which are fueled by peatlands smoldering underground in West, Central and South Kalimantan. The widespread wildfires have a profound impact on human health and the environment, releasing smoke haze that poses a significant threat to both. However, the consequences of these fires extend far beyond the initial crisis period. They can fundamentally alter the forests that wildlife relies on for survival, leading to long-term changes in ecosystems. Wild orangutans living in Borneo's forests have been particularly affected by the 2015 wildfires. At the Tuanan Orangutan Research Station, researchers observed firsthand the devastating impact of the fires on their habitats. In the years following the disaster, they documented significant changes in the orangutans' behavior. The research team had a unique advantage when studying the effects of the fires. They had been monitoring a wild orangutan population since 2003, meticulously tracking the animals' movements and recording changes in the forest's health and productivity over time. This extensive dataset allowed them to trace the lasting impact of the wildfires on the orangutans. The researchers have been able to identify significant shifts in the orangutans' behavior following the fires, including reduced travel distances, increased resting periods, and decreased social interaction among individuals. The team at Tuanan research site faced a daunting task in October as they battled to contain the raging wildfires. Emergency workers worked tirelessly to cut firebreaks and pump water onto the fires, but it was a challenging time for orangutan monitoring. Returning to Tuanan after the devastating 2015 fires, Maria van Noordwijk recalled the eerie atmosphere of thick haze that enveloped the region for months. The dense smog blanketed large parts of Southeast Asia, causing widespread disruption and health concerns. The prolonged haze at Tuanan had a profound impact on the orangutans, with many appearing to suffer from respiratory problems. Researchers reported hearing the primates coughing as they struggled to cope with the poor air quality. This was accompanied by changes in their behavior, including reduced travel distances and increased resting periods. As the researchers observed the orangutans over the following years, they began to notice a pattern emerging. The animals were often staying lower in the canopy, possibly seeking refuge from the haze. A crucial discovery made by the team was the significant decline in fruit production that persisted for approximately 2.5 years after the fires. This prolonged shortage may have been caused by a combination of factors, including reduced photosynthesis due to haze and the potential loss of pollinators. The severe wildfires in Borneo have left a lasting impact on the orangutans that inhabit the affected areas. With their primary food source - fruit - scarce due to the prolonged drought and haze, female orangutans were forced to adopt new strategies to conserve energy. They began traveling shorter distances, resting more frequently, and relying on lower-quality fallback foods to survive. Research also revealed a concerning trend: orangutans lost lean body mass as they drew upon their own bodily reserves to meet their energy needs. The fires not only affected the orangutans but also altered the forest landscape. Approximately 15% of Tuanan's forest was destroyed in the 2015 blazes, prompting some orangutans to leave their home ranges and seek refuge elsewhere. This displacement led to increased competition for resources among remaining orangutans, as more individuals converged on a smaller area. Social dynamics began to break down as adult females spent less time foraging together with relatives or younger offspring. The stress of competing for food and space took a toll on social relationships among the orangutans. Adult females became increasingly intolerant and aggressive towards one another in their pursuit of limited resources, leading to potential consequences for reproduction and survival. The recent wildfires in Borneo have led to an alarming loss of older female orangutans, exceeding expectations based on long-term survival rates established during a research study. The devastating impact of these fires is not limited to the immediate dangers posed by flames and smoke; it also extends to the loss of forest habitat, which can lead to reduced food availability and disrupted social relationships among orangutans. This, in turn, forces them to expend energy adapting to their changed environment, a process that can take months or even years. The ongoing 2026 fires have already destroyed an estimated 30% of the study area, a loss that will likely translate into similar pressures faced by orangutans after the 2015 fires. However, it appears that this time around, the toll may be even greater than before. Long-term monitoring sites like Tuanan play a crucial role in tracking the effects of these wildfires on the orangutan population. By maintaining records of the forest's ecosystem and its inhabitants before the fires began, scientists can compare the current situation with past observations, providing valuable insights into the consequences of these disasters. The loss of older female orangutans is particularly concerning, as it may have long-term implications for the survival and reproduction of the species. The loss of older female orangutans may have significant long-term implications for the survival and reproduction of the species. Field sites like Tuanan are crucial in answering questions about the impact of fires on orangutans and how long they will take to recover. The data collected from these sites can provide valuable insights into the effects of wildfires on orangutan populations, which is essential for conservation efforts. Ultimately, understanding the full extent of the damage caused by Borneo's wildfires will be critical in developing effective strategies to protect this endangered species. --- Source: [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-10-borneo-wildfires-impact-orangutans.html) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/severe-wildfire-season-hits-indonesia-amid-el-nino-conditions/