Indonesia's Underground Fires
Indonesia's peatland fires are burning underground, releasing pollutants and causing harm to the environment and human health.
Introduction To Indonesia's Underground Fires
Indonesia is facing a severe threat from underground fires, which are burning through the country's vast peatland deposits. These fires are particularly dangerous and stubborn, producing large amounts of pollutants and fine particulate matter. According to estimates, peat fires release three times more fine particulate matter than other tropical forest fires, along with five times more sulfur dioxide, three times more organic carbon, and twice as much methane and carbon monoxide. The situation is exacerbated by the current El Niño event, which is reducing rainfall across Indonesia and making the dry season even drier.
Causes And Consequences Of Peatland Fires
Peatland fires are a persistent problem in Indonesia, which is home to around 36 percent of the world's tropical peatlands. Normally, these wet landscapes are too damp to ignite, but during severe droughts, they can dry out enough to catch fire. The fires can then smolder underground for months, releasing large amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere. The 2015 fire season was particularly devastating, with fires emitting 1.75 billion tons of greenhouse gas equivalents, more than Japan's entire annual emissions. This year's fire season is already showing signs of being similarly severe, with fires releasing around 10 percent of the 2015 total after just a month of burning.
Monitoring And Predicting Peatland Fires
Indonesia relies on satellite monitoring to track active fires in near-real-time. The MODIS and VIIRS instruments on NASA and NOAA satellites are used to detect thermal anomalies associated with fires. However, these satellites have limitations, and can struggle to detect fires that are burning underground. The Indonesian Ministry of Forestry operates the SiPongi fire-monitoring platform, which uses MODIS and VIIRS data to count hotspots. On August 31, 2026, the system detected 946 hotspots, indicating a high level of fire activity. Researchers like Robert Field are also using tools like the Global Fire Weather Database to produce experimental, real-time fire weather forecasts, which can help predict when and where fires are likely to occur.
Underground Fires And The Challenges Of Extinguishing Them
One of the biggest challenges in dealing with peatland fires is that they can burn underground for months, making them extremely difficult to extinguish. Surface fires are relatively easy to put out, but when fires get underground, they can continue smoldering until the rains come in October or November. This means that the fires can release large amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere for an extended period, causing significant harm to the environment and human health. The El Niño event is making the situation even worse, by reducing rainfall and making the dry season drier.
Real-World Implications And Future Outlook
The underground fires burning in Indonesia's peatlands have significant real-world implications. The pollutants released by the fires can cause respiratory problems and other health issues, and can also contribute to climate change. The fires can also disrupt the lives of millions of people, causing widespread smoke and haze. To mitigate these impacts, it is essential to develop effective strategies for preventing and extinguishing peatland fires. This could involve restoring degraded peatlands, implementing sustainable land-use practices, and improving fire monitoring and prediction capabilities. By taking these steps, Indonesia can reduce the risk of underground fires and protect the environment and human health.
Sources
This is an original synthesis by Qivorane based on reporting from the outlets below.