Peat Fires in Indonesia: A Socio-Ecological Synthesis Based on a Literature Review of Management Approaches

Peatlands play a critical role in supporting Indonesia’s net-zero emissions target due to their carbon storage and provide nature-based solutions. However, drainage, logging, and land-use change have degraded many peatlands in Indonesia, rendering them highly vulnerable to fire. Despite efforts to mitigate fires, fire incidents in peatlands remain a recurring challenge. This study examines peatland fire management in Indonesia using review of recent scientific literature. 10 peer-reviewed published between 2020 and 2025 were analyzed to identify common strategies, actors involved, and socio-ecological dynamics underlying fire management. Findings suggest that the most effective interventions combine technical solutions such as rewetting through canal blocking, revegetation, and weather modification technologies with meaningful community participation and multi-stakeholder collaboration. These strategies are more sustainable when supported by adaptive governance models that considers land tenure, cultural practices, and institutional capacities. The study also identified gaps in long-term impact assessments and limited integration of ecological, social, and economic factors in most existing interventions. By bringing in the ecological and social dimensions, this review offers a more integrated understanding of peatland fire management. This study contributes to informs policy directions toward sustainable fire governance based on efforts to mitigate peatland fires in Indonesia.