"Illegal Indonesian Fires Threaten Great Apes"

"The carbon-rich peat forests of northern Sumatra are burning again as palm oil companies break Indonesian law to clear the land for their plantations."

"Environmental groups have warned that the local population of critically endangered orang-utans are 'doomed' unless the fires are stopped.

Also, smoke from the burning is at times engulfing cities in Malaysia and Thailand, prompting doctors in Kuala Lumpur recently to warn residents with respiratory problems to wear masks."

Michael Bachelard reports for the Sydney Morning Herald July 5, 2012.