Forest fires threaten the world's oldest cave paintings in Indonesia

Indonesia is facing its largest forest fires since 2015, primarily affecting Sumatra and Borneo, with additional fires on Sulawesi. The fires threaten the UNESCO World Heritage site near Maros-Pangkep, home to ancient cave paintings, including the oldest known artwork. Firefighting efforts are hindered by high temperatures and drought, with flames previously coming within 800 meters of the caves. The heat poses risks of corrosion and chemical damage to the paintings, while smoke can obscure their visibility. Currently, there is no rain forecast, exacerbated by climate change and the effects of a strong El Niño, which increases global temperatures and extreme weather events.