Recurring forest and land fires in Indonesia are not a matter of extinguishing flames. Prevention efforts must begin early by controlling human activities, keeping peatlands wet, and protecting wildlife habitats affected by fires. These issues were among the main topics of Universitas Gadjah Mada’s (UGM) Board of Professors in an episode of UGM Podcast on forest and land fires on Thursday (Oct. 15).
UGM Professor of Forest Management at the Faculty of Forestry (Forestry UGM), Professor Ris Hadi Purwanto, explained that forest and land fires are influenced by three main elements: ignition sources, fuel in the form of vegetation or organic material, and climatic conditions that can trigger fires. The El Niño phenomenon increases fire risk by creating drier conditions. However, climatic factors must be distinguished from ignition sources, which are often associated with human activities.
“In Indonesia, that is what often happens,” Professor Ris explained, noting that human negligence or uncontrolled land-clearing activities can trigger fires.
Land burning is often chosen as a way to reduce land-clearing costs. However, without adequate controls and supervision, fires can spread and cause widespread damage.
According to the data discussed, the cumulative area affected by forest and land fires between 2015 and 2026 reached approximately 8.35 million hectares. The largest burned area was recorded in 2015, at 2.61 million hectares, followed by 1.65 million hectares in 2019 and 1.16 million hectares in 2023. These figures show that forest and land fires are a recurring problem that requires ongoing preparedness.
Response efforts should not intensify only after fires break out. Instead, preparedness must be maintained consistently, accounting for changing climatic conditions and fire risks across regions.
“Establishing an agency or center to handle forest and land fires should not be a reactive measure. For example, it should not be established only after a fire occurs and then deemed unnecessary when there is no fire,” he said.
Peatland Fires Are Difficult to Extinguish
Beyond ignition sources, the characteristics of the affected land also determine how difficult forest and land fires are to control. UGM Professor of Soil Chemistry and Management at the Faculty of Agriculture (Agriculture UGM), Professor Benito Heru Purwanto, explained that peatlands contain organic material formed from the accumulation of plant remains over thousands of years. This characteristic makes peatlands vulnerable to degradation when their hydrological conditions are disrupted.
According to Professor Benito, peatlands must be kept wet. Drying caused by canal construction or land management practices that lower the groundwater level can make peatlands more susceptible to fire.
Once ignited, fires do not spread only across the surface but can also travel through underground organic layers.
“The fire does not originate from the peat itself, but from our activities,” he emphasized, highlighting the importance of recognizing human activities as a cause of fires.
These fires are harder to extinguish than surface fires and require a different approach. Dropping water from aircraft, or water bombing, is not sufficiently effective when the fire lies beneath the ground. One necessary measure is rewetting, which restores moisture to peatlands and helps keep them wet.
He also emphasized preventive measures before the dry season. Water management and maintaining peatland moisture must begin during the rainy season to reduce the risk of fires.
Furthermore, peatland fires not only destroy vegetation but also accelerate the loss of organic material and cause land subsidence.
“Because peat formation takes a very long time, damage caused by fires presents an ecological problem that cannot be repaired quickly,” he stressed.
Threats to Wildlife Habitats and Biodiversity
The impacts of forest and land fires are also a concern for UGM Professor Raden Wisnu Nurcahyo, of the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and a wildlife conservation advocate, who highlighted the threats fires pose to wildlife and the preservation of Indonesia’s biodiversity.
He explained that fires can deprive animals of their habitats, food sources, and shelter. Burned vegetation can also eliminate plants that animals need to survive, including those used in self-medication, a behavior known as self-medicated animal behavior.
“The main problem is the loss of food sources due to forest fires,” Professor Wisnu said.
In addition to losing food sources, wildlife faces health risks from smoke and injuries caused by ground surfaces that still contain smoldering embers. Some animals may also die undetected because they are deep inside forests that are difficult for response teams to access.
Habitat destruction can subsequently drive animals into areas inhabited by humans. This can increase conflict between wildlife and local communities, particularly when animals enter agricultural land or residential areas in search of food.
Forest recovery does not automatically restore habitats to their original condition. Regrowing vegetation may not provide food required by particular animal species. Habitat restoration must therefore take into account ecosystem characteristics and the ecological needs of the wildlife living there.
“Efforts to prevent forest and land fires must involve communities living near forest areas, as well as businesses that use the land. Education and oversight of land clearing, mining, and plantation activities are essential to reducing fire risks while protecting biodiversity,” he said.
Sustainable Fire Management
The discussion, moderated by Professor Indra Bastian of UGM’s Faculty of Economics and Business, connected the causes of forest and land fires with land characteristics and their impacts on human life and wildlife.
In his concluding remarks, forest and land fires not only destroy vegetation but also alter habitats and threaten biodiversity. Forest and land fires must therefore be understood as an environmental challenge that requires shared responsibility.
Through the UGM Podcast, members of UGM’s Board of Professors seek to improve public understanding of the complexity of forest and land fires and the importance of prevention.
Controlling ignition sources, managing peatlands, and protecting wildlife habitats are interconnected measures to reduce fire risks and maintain the sustainability of Indonesia’s ecosystems.
Author: M. Aidil Syahputra
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Jasmine Ferdian
Photo: Antara