Japanese telecom operator KDDI acknowledged on Oct. 20 that a large-scale grassland fire in a Mongolian nature reserve earlier this month was connected to activities involving an executive of its subsidiary.

The fire broke out on Oct. 8 in the Numrug Nature Reserve in Dornod Province, Mongolia, according to reports. Mongolian media said that more than 10 people and five vehicles from MobiCom, a Japanese-controlled Mongolian telecom operator, entered the reserve, including several Japanese nationals. Dry grass was ignited as the vehicles were driving, sparking the fire. The open flames were extinguished on the 16th.

KDDI said its Japanese executive at the subsidiary was inside the reserve at the time of the incident, and that it takes "extremely seriously" the fact that activities related to MobiCom caused a fire and had a major impact on the natural environment. The company said the personnel entered the reserve to conduct 4G network communication tests and had obtained formal permission in advance from Mongolia's border guard authorities.

However, several Mongolian media outlets reported that the group entered the reserve for another purpose—possibly to hunt or fish for an endangered species of fish. Relevant Mongolian authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.

Mongolia's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change released preliminary statistics on Oct. 20: the fire burned about 530,000 hectares, with about 470,000 hectares affected in the reserve, accounting for 79.8% of the reserve's total area. The ministry has launched a comprehensive assessment of ecological and environmental damage.

Published Date:2026-10-22