Indonesia Wildfires Threaten Nature Again
Indonesia is facing one of its most serious wildfire seasons in more than a decade, creating a growing threat to forests, peatlands, wildlife and fragile tropical ecosystems. Although the number of detected hotspots has recently fluctuated, environmental groups warn that the danger is far from over. Fires burning in peatlands can continue underground, making them difficult to detect, extinguish and control. The latest situation has renewed concerns about Indonesia's ability to protect some of the world's most important tropical landscapes. The combination of extreme heat, dry conditions, degraded peatlands and the influence of a strong El Niño climate pattern has created conditions in which fires can spread rapidly. According to Reuters , Indonesia has been battling its most intense wildfires in about 11 years. Environmental groups have warned that the government must remain on high alert even after a decline in some detected hotspots because peatland fires can flare up a...