Environment News

Peat Fires – Indonesia

September 9 , 2026 16 hrs 0 min 23 0

Indonesia’s peat fires are intensifying in 2026 due to severe drought and strengthening El Niño, with underground fires producing heavy pollution.
Peat fires burn slowly underground in dried wetland soils and can continue for months, making them difficult to extinguish.
Indonesia contains about 36% of the world’s tropical peatlands, mainly in Kalimantan, Sumatra and Papua.
Peat fires can produce about 3 times more fine particulate matter and 2 times more methane and carbon monoxide than other tropical forest fires.
MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) satellites are used to monitor fires, but thick smoke can hide the worst fires.
About 90% of Indonesia received little or no rainfall in early August 2026, while the SiPongi system recorded 946 hotspots on August 31.