Indonesia is experiencing a surge in dangerous, hard-to-extinguish peatland fires, exacerbated by El Niño and drought conditions similar to the 2015 crisis.

Indonesia's 2026 fire season has seen a sharp increase in activity, with fires burning through underground peat deposits. These smoldering fires are difficult to extinguish and produce significantly higher levels of pollutants than typical forest fires. NASA satellite imagery and local monitoring systems have tracked rising thermal anomalies as the country faces severe drought conditions.

The Challenge of Peatland Fires

Peat fires are uniquely dangerous because they burn underground at low temperatures, making them resistant to traditional firefighting efforts. They continue to smolder until heavy rains arrive, typically in October or November. These fires are exceptionally polluting, emitting significantly more fine particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and greenhouse gases than standard forest fires.

Impact of Climate Patterns

The current fire season is being intensified by a strong El Niño and a positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole, both of which reduce rainfall. By early August 2026, approximately 90 percent of Indonesia had received little or no rainfall. Researchers note that the current fire trajectory is tracking similarly to 2015, a year that saw massive emissions and widespread disruption.

Monitoring and Mitigation Efforts

Indonesia utilizes satellite data from NASA and NOAA to monitor hotspots, though thick smoke and underground burning can obscure detection. Following the 2015 season, the government implemented measures such as blocking irrigation canals to restore wetlands. Current efforts include testing new satellite observation methods to better detect understory fires that traditional sensors might miss.