The threat of fire continues to hang over peatlands, even in areas dedicated for restoration purposes. A warning about the imminent danger in fire-prone peatland areas was recently raised by Jakarta-based Madani Berkelanjutan, an environmental nongovernmental organization focusing on forest and land management.

A study by Madani Berkelanjutan of peatland areas in Riau province between January and March found 737 hot spots in the province, some 96 percent of which were located within prioritized areas for peatland restoration. Results of the study were obtained through spatial data analysis, which was combined with field investigation into hot spots in the province.

The Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG), which has been tasked with carrying out restoration projects in peatland areas across the country since 2015, has identified 814,000 hectares (over 80 per...