Introduction
Wildfires burning in Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia, produced more than 19.7 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions between September 1 and 7, 2026, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. The figure represents the world's highest total for that period and more than one-third of all global fire emissions during the week.
Why Indonesian Fires Are So Carbon-Intensive
Fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra frequently burn through peatland, soil composed of partially decomposed organic matter accumulated over thousands of years. Peat stores enormous quantities of carbon relative to its surface area, and when it burns, that carbon is released in far greater volumes than a comparable area of surface vegetation fire would produce. Peat fires also burn underground, making them difficult to extinguish and capable of smouldering for weeks or months.
Key Figures
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| CO2 emissions, Sept 1-7 | Over 19.7 million metric tonnes |
| Share of global fire emissions | More than one-third |
| Affected regions | Kalimantan and Sumatra, Indonesia |
| Monitoring body | Copernicus Climate Change Service |
The Regional Haze Problem
Beyond carbon emissions, Indonesian peat and forest fires have historically produced transboundary haze affecting Malaysia, Singapore and parts of Thailand, creating public health problems including respiratory illness and prompting school closures and flight disruptions across the region. The haze issue has been a recurring source of diplomatic friction among Southeast Asian nations.
Why These Fires Occur
- Land clearing for agriculture, including plantation development, often using fire as the cheapest method
- Drained peatlands, which dry out and become highly flammable
- Dry season conditions, intensified during El Niño years
- Difficulty of extinguishing underground peat fires once established
The Climate Feedback Concern
The emissions figure arrives in the same reporting period in which Copernicus confirmed August 2026 as the hottest month globally on record. Climate scientists point to fire emissions as a feedback mechanism: hotter, drier conditions increase fire frequency and intensity, and the resulting carbon release contributes to further warming, creating a reinforcing cycle that is difficult to break once established.
Expert Insight
Environmental researchers working on Indonesian peatlands emphasise that the most effective intervention is preventing drainage of peat areas in the first place, since rewetting degraded peatland is considerably more difficult and expensive than maintaining intact systems. Firefighting capacity matters, but experts consistently note that once peat fires are burning underground, suppression becomes extremely challenging regardless of resources deployed.
Key Takeaways
- Indonesian wildfires produced over 19.7 million tonnes of CO2 between September 1 and 7, 2026.
- That accounted for more than a third of global fire emissions that week.
- Peatland fires release far more carbon than surface vegetation fires of comparable area.
- The fires also produce transboundary haze affecting neighbouring Southeast Asian countries.
FAQ
How much CO2 did the fires release?
More than 19.7 million metric tonnes between September 1 and 7, 2026, according to Copernicus.
Why are peatland fires so damaging?
Peat stores carbon accumulated over thousands of years, so burning it releases far more CO2 than surface fires, and peat fires burn underground making them hard to extinguish.
Do these fires affect other countries?
Yes. Indonesian fires have historically produced transboundary haze affecting Malaysia, Singapore and parts of Thailand.
Conclusion
A single week of fires in two Indonesian regions accounting for over a third of global fire emissions illustrates how concentrated this particular climate problem is. Addressing it depends far more on peatland management and land-use policy than on firefighting capacity alone.
