Indonesia: 72,000 Hectares of Peatland Burned, Firefighting Efforts Ongoing

According to an announcement from Indonesia's National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), it has been revealed that 72,008 hectares of peatland have been affected by fires and burned since the beginning of 2026. This vast area highlights the severity of peatland fires in Indonesia. Firefighting efforts are still ongoing in 734 hectares, with efforts continuing to prevent the spread of fires and achieve an early resolution. Peatland fires are characterized by their tendency to spread deep underground once ignited, requiring a long time to extinguish. Furthermore, the fires emit large amounts of smoke, causing air pollution and raising concerns about their impact on global warming due to the release of carbon dioxide. Peatland fires in Indonesia are particularly prone to occur during the dry season, and large-scale fires have been a significant social issue in the past. Due to their nature, peatlands are difficult to restore once fires occur, and the impact on the ecosystem is substantial. The burned area from the current fires is of a scale that cannot be ignored, even when compared to past incidents, and there is a need for future environmental impact assessments, investigation into the causes of the fires, and the implementation of recurrence prevention measures. Source: Sindonews