English Document:
The Threat of Forest and Land Fires as El Niño Strikes: An Update on Indonesia’s Fires, January–August 2023
This report highlights the rise of forest and land fires in Indonesia from January to August 2023 as El Niño intensifies. The Indicative Burned Area (AIT) reached 262 thousand hectares, exceeding last year’s total.
A major surge occurred in West Kalimantan, where AIT increased dozens of times within months. Many fires were also found in licensed and concession areas, including oil palm and forestry sectors.
Peatland ecosystems remain a concern because they are hard to extinguish and produce large emissions, even though their share declined from last year. The report calls for stronger prevention, law enforcement, and limits on permits in natural forests and peatlands
