Volunteers on Borneo are distributing oxygen cylinders as respiratory illnesses surge due to the thick smoke from the worst wildfires in years. The haze, caused by illegal land clearing and drought, has spread across Southeast Asia, affecting millions. Health officials report a sharp increase in hospital admissions for breathing difficulties, with some areas experiencing near-zero visibility.
In the same region, authorities rescued an orangutan from a palm oil plantation after it inhaled smoke from nearby fires. The animal was taken to a wildlife rehabilitation center, where it is recovering. The incident highlights the growing threat to both human and animal populations. Conservation groups warn that the fires are destroying critical habitats and endangering biodiversity.
The government has deployed emergency teams to combat the blazes, but the scale of the crisis remains overwhelming. With no significant rainfall expected, the situation is expected to worsen in the coming weeks. Scientists stress the need for stricter enforcement of environmental laws to prevent future disasters.
