BINTULU (Sept 8): The recurring haze linked to peat and forest fires highlights a deeper issue involving peatland management, water, climate, fire and public health, said the Universiti Putra Malaysia Sarawak (UPMS) Institute of Ecosystem Science Borneo (IEB).

“Behind the smoke is a bigger story. One that connects peatland, water management, land-use change, fire, air pollution, human health and climate,” it said in a statement.

The institute stressed that what happens in Kalimantan does not necessarily remain there, as smoke can travel across large areas depending on wind and atmospheric conditions, affecting neighbouring countries.

“Kalimantan’s peatlands are unique ecosystems formed over thousands of years, with organic matter accumulating under waterlogged conditions and storing significant amounts of carbon.

However, it said water was critical to keeping peatlands stable.

“When peatlands are drained, groundwater levels fall. The peat becomes exposed to oxygen, decomposition increases and more carbon is released. As the peat dries, it also becomes much more vulnerable to fire.”

This means a peat fire could begin long before flames become visible, with changes in the water regime creating the conditions for peat to dry out and become highly flammable, it said.

IEB said human activities contributed to the majority of fires in Indonesia, with fire sometimes used as a relatively cheap and easy method of clearing land.

“Research in Kalimantan also showed that fire occurrence was influenced by climate, land type and livelihoods.

“Dry conditions associated with El Niño could further worsen the situation by reducing rainfall and drying already degraded or drained peatlands,” it said.

The institute stressed, however, that El Niño did not cause fires on its own, but could create conditions that allowed fires to spread and persist.

“Once peat catches fire, the problem moves from the ground into the air. Peat fires release particulate matter and gases, including fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, which is particularly concerning because the particles can penetrate deep into the respiratory system,” it said.

Citing research from Central Kalimantan, the institute said a study examining peatland fires between 2011 and 2015 estimated that peat fires increased annual mean PM2.5 concentrations by about 26 micrograms per cubic metre.

The study also linked long-term exposure to increased risks of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as well as premature mortality.

The institute said the health consequences were ultimately felt by communities, with people breathing polluted air, children spending less time outdoors and families having to alter their daily routines because of haze.

Against this backdrop, the institute called for greater emphasis on prevention rather than relying solely on fire fighting after fires have already started.

It said maintaining appropriate water levels, protecting remaining peatlands, restoring degraded areas and strengthening fire and air-quality monitoring were crucial.

“Fire suppression will always be necessary when fires occur. But prevention starts much earlier,” it said.

Technology could also play a greater role through satellite observations, early-warning systems and artificial intelligence to identify high-risk areas and hotspots more quickly.

The institute stressed that the issue was not confined to Indonesia, noting that Malaysia also had peatland ecosystems important for biodiversity and carbon storage.

It therefore called for continued regional cooperation in addressing peatland fires and transboundary haze.

“After decades of recurring haze, perhaps the most important lesson is simple, the response should not begin when the smoke appears. The real work begins much earlier, beneath the surface in how peatlands are managed, how water is maintained and how risks are identified,” IEB said.

The institute said the haze seen today was ultimately a visible symptom of a problem that could have been developing beneath the surface for years.

“The haze is what we see. The deeper story begins long before the fire,” it added.