Why September Is Critical for Forest and Land Fires in Indonesia

Part 2: Why Peatlands Need Extra Attention

As prolonged dry conditions continue across parts of Indonesia, peatland areas require particular attention. While dry vegetation can increase fire risk across many landscapes, peat behaves differently. When peat loses too much moisture, fire can move below the ground surface, making it more difficult to detect and extinguish. This has become especially relevant during the current dry period, with the Ministry of Forestry identifying peatland fires as a particular challenge in several fire-prone areas.

Peat naturally holds large amounts of water, functioning much like a sponge. During prolonged dry periods, however, the water table can fall and the upper layers of peat can gradually dry out. Because peat is formed from accumulated organic material, dry peat itself can become fuel. A technical publication from Indonesia’s forestry authorities explains that once fire enters the peat layer, it can spread slowly below the surface and may be difficult to detect from above.

In some peatland areas, drainage canals constructed for land-use or access purposes can further lower the water table by allowing water to leave the peat more quickly. When this happens, the surrounding peat may become drier and more vulnerable to fire. One approach used to help address this is the construction of canal blocks, which slow the movement of water through drainage canals and help retain water within the peatland landscape. By supporting higher water levels, canal blocking can form part of broader efforts to rewet degraded peat and reduce its vulnerability during prolonged dry periods. 

Even with rainfall, the danger may not disappear immediately. In September, Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry noted that locations with active fire or smoldering embers below the surface, particularly on peatland, may still require continued wetting and cooling to prevent fire from reigniting. The impacts can also extend beyond the burned area itself. Peat fires can produce persistent smoke, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and damage an ecosystem that plays an important role in storing carbon and regulating water. Peatland fire management therefore involves not only prevention and suppression, but also the recovery and rehabilitation of affected landscapes. 

For this reason, maintaining peat moisture is an important part of reducing repeated fire risk. Water management, groundwater-level monitoring, canal blocking, rewetting, and vegetation restoration can work together to help peat remain more resilient during prolonged dry conditions. 

Field monitoring of canal blocks in HLG Londerang, Jambi, where rewetting infrastructure is regularly checked to support water retention and peatland water management. | Photo: KIFC ©2025

Sources:

• Kementerian Kehutanan. Hotspot Turun di Empat Provinsi Prioritas, Pengendalian dan OMC Terus Diperkuat. September 2026
• Pusbang Mitigasi, Kementerian Kehutanan. Dari Pemadaman ke Pemulihan, Pusbang Mitigasi Hadirkan Model Pengendalian Karhutla Gambut. 2026.
• KLHK. Technical publication on forest and land fire control and peat-fire characteristics.