Peat Fires: An Overview

Background

• In 1997, Indonesia experienced a fire that spread over several thousand square kilometers, lasting almost a year.
• It halted international flights and caused haze reaching China.
• The fire was largely subterranean, burning without visible flames.

Impact and Significance

• Subterranean fires account for roughly 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions, six times more than those from international aviation.
• Known as "zombie fires," they are almost unstoppable.

Formation of Peat Fires

• Fire Ingredients: Fuel, heat, and oxygen are essential for fire.
• Pyrolysis: This process leads to combustion by releasing gases from the breakdown of materials, producing fire.
• Smoldering: Combustion without flames, involving char, a carbon-rich residue.

Peat Lands and Carbon Storage

• Peat is a soil formed from undecayed organic matter, found in cold or wet regions.
• Peatlands are major carbon stores, retaining carbon absorbed by plants.

Conditions for Peat Fires

• Historically, moisture and cold temperatures prevented fires.
• Climate change-induced droughts and peatland drainage for agriculture have increased fire risks.
• Surface fires can ignite peat, leading to a persistent smoldering burn.

Characteristics of Peat Fires

• Burning Rate: Slow, at approximately one millimeter per minute.
• Persistence: Can last months or years, emitting smoke with poisonous gases.
• Tracking Difficulty: Hard to identify until they surface and ignite soil elsewhere.

Challenges in Combating Peat Fires

• Water Usage: High surface tension makes water ineffective in penetrating burning peat.
• Research Solutions: Reducing water surface tension to allow better infiltration.

Prevention and Mitigation Strategies

• Controlled Burns: Conducted in peatland to prevent large fires.
• Preservation Efforts: Preventing peatland drainage to maintain moisture, reducing fire risks.

Importance of Peatlands

• Despite covering only 3% of Earth's land, peatlands hold over a quarter of the planet’s carbon.
• Protecting these carbon stores is crucial as climate change leads to increased droughts and extreme weather conditions.