Volunteers Risk Lives to Defuse Indonesia’s Peat Fire Carbon Bombs

Why peat fires are called carbon bombs

Peatlands in Borneo hold more carbon than the world’s forests combined. When these water‑logged soils dry out, they ignite easily and burn underground for weeks or months. The combustion releases carbon that has been locked away for thousands of years, turning a local fire into a global climate threat. Scientists refer to this phenomenon as a “carbon bomb” because the amount of carbon emitted can rival the output of an entire industrial nation in a single season.

Ancient carbon stores released

A single peat fire can release up to 3 gigatonnes of carbon, according to a NASA Earth Observatory analysis of Southeast Asian peat fires. That figure represents a substantial share of the carbon budget needed to keep global warming below 1.5°C. The smoke carries fine particles and toxic gases across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and even the Philippines, creating a haze that lingers for weeks.

The human cost of battling the flames

While governments deploy helicopters and heavy machinery, the front line is often made up of local volunteers. These men and women enter the heart of the blaze armed with handheld tools, water hoses and a determination to protect their villages. Their work is physically demanding, mentally exhausting and, at times, fatal.

Health risks from toxic haze

Volunteers inhale a cocktail of pollutants, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds. A University of Indonesia research on peat fire health impacts found that prolonged exposure can lead to chronic respiratory disease, eye irritation and reduced lung function. The risk is amplified during the dry season when winds spread the haze far beyond the fire zone.

Personal stories of volunteers

"I have seen the sky turn black in just a few hours," says Ahmad, a farmer from Central Kalimantan who has been fighting fires for three years. "When the smoke gets thick, I can barely breathe, but I cannot leave my community unprotected." Another volunteer, Siti, recounts how she rescued a child trapped near a smoldering peat field: "The heat was intense, the ground was unstable, but we pulled the child out and ran to safety. It is moments like that that keep us going."

How volunteers are trained and equipped

Local NGOs partner with the government to provide short courses on fire behavior, safety protocols and basic first aid. Training emphasizes the importance of staying low to avoid smoke inhalation, using wet blankets to smother small flames and recognizing signs of heat exhaustion.

Water pumps and portable hoses
Protective masks rated for fine particulate filtration
Fire‑resistant gloves and boots
Radio units for coordination with official fire crews
First‑aid kits for on‑site treatment

Community strategies and international support

Beyond individual bravery, villages organize collective actions to prevent fire spread. Early warning systems, community patrols and controlled burning of dry grass are common practices. International organizations have stepped in to fund equipment and training.

World Wildlife Fund runs a campaign that supplies masks and fire‑break tools to high‑risk areas.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry provides satellite data to help volunteers locate hotspots.
The World Bank offers grants for peatland restoration projects that reduce future fire risk.

Long term solutions and policy changes

While volunteers are essential today, experts argue that lasting change requires systemic action. Restoring water levels in drained peatlands, enforcing land‑use regulations and transitioning away from slash‑and‑burn agriculture are key steps. A World Bank study on peatland carbon emissions recommends re‑wetting degraded peat as the most effective climate mitigation strategy.

Policy makers are also urged to recognize the economic value of healthy peat ecosystems. By integrating carbon credits and sustainable livelihood programs, governments can create incentives for communities to protect, rather than exploit, these fragile soils.

In the meantime, the courage of volunteers continues to shape the narrative of Indonesia’s wildfire response. Their willingness to enter dangerous conditions, often with limited resources, underscores the human dimension of a crisis that is both environmental and social.