Jakarta – While the latest satellite data show a near‑50% drop in fire hotspots from Friday to Saturday, Indonesia’s peatland protection advocates stress that the nation cannot declare victory over wildfires. The reduction, they say, masks the unique danger posed by peat fires, which can smolder underground and flare up long after surface flames are extinguished.
Peatland fires demand a different response
Putra Saptian, a campaigner with the peatland watchdog Pantau Gambut, told a press briefing that the government should not treat the hotspot count as the primary success metric. “The nature of peat fires, which spread through underground organic material, can trigger persistent smouldering and create the potential for fires to re‑emerge,” he explained.
Pantau Gambut estimates that out of Indonesia’s 24 million hectares of peatland, 16 million hectares have become more fire‑prone due to extensive deforestation and lowered water tables. A study by the group found that only 3 % of peatland damaged by fires between 2015 and 2019 has been restored to forest, underscoring the need for accelerated rehabilitation efforts.
Government actions and ongoing alerts
President Prabowo Subianto recently launched a new agency focused on peatland and mangrove restoration, signaling a top‑level commitment to address the issue. The Forestry Ministry, however, cautioned that it remains on high alert and will continue to allocate resources to contain fires, especially those burning in peat soils.
In South Sumatra’s provincial capital Palembang, residents reported a “very terrifying” haze as air‑quality readings surged past 1,000 on the local index – far above the hazardous threshold of 300. Kartika Lestari, an environmental campaigner based in Palembang, described the situation: “Dust is clinging to our clothes; imagine what that would do to our lungs.”
Calls for corporate accountability
Greenpeace, speaking at the same briefing, urged the Indonesian government to pursue companies linked to the fires, including firms based in neighboring Malaysia that operate within Indonesia’s borders. Malaysia’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Arthur Joseph Kurup, warned that “the worst is yet to come,” as hot and dry conditions are expected to persist into the new year.
Health officials have already noted a spike in respiratory illnesses across Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore as the haze spreads. The regional impact highlights the broader public‑health implications of peatland fires, reinforcing the need for sustained prevention and rapid response measures.
What comes next?
Experts agree that reducing hotspots alone will not guarantee safety. Effective peatland management, re‑wetting projects, and stricter enforcement against illegal land‑clearing are essential components of a long‑term strategy. As the nation confronts its most intense wildfire season in over a decade, vigilance remains the key to protecting both the environment and public health.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
