Indonesia is facing a severe environmental situation due to drought, which has led to fires both on the surface and underground in its vast peatlands. These ecosystems, rich in organic matter accumulated over millennia, are particularly vulnerable under conditions of extreme dryness. The combustion of peat, a dense and highly flammable material, generates a large amount of smoke and particles that not only affect local air quality but also have regional and global implications.

Peatland fires are particularly problematic because, once started, they can burn for weeks or even months, often underground, making their detection and extinction extremely difficult. The dry organic matter in peat acts as a persistent fuel, releasing large quantities of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This phenomenon contributes significantly to climate change, in addition to destroying natural habitats and affecting the health of nearby populations due to air pollution.