Combustion and thermal characteristics of peat fire in tropical peatland in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract

Peat fire in tropical peatland not only releases a large amount of carbon into the atmosphere, but also causes significant damage to peatland ecology and the landscape. It is important to understand peat fire and to establish more effective methods to control peat fire. In this paper, the results of field and laboratory research elucidate the combustion and thermal characteristics of peat fire. Field studies were carried out at 9 study plots in actual peat fire areas along the Trans Kalimantan Highway of Central Kalimantan in 2002. Laboratory analyses using a bomb calorimeter and TG-DTA were carried out to obtain low and high ignition temperatures and calorific values of various peat fire fuels. Results of field studies on weather conditions, temperatures in peat layers during fire, patterns of peat fire fronts, peat fire spreading speeds, fuel composition, moisture contents and fuel losses during fires are described in this paper. This study clarified the nature of fire movement and the smoldering process in an actual peat fire in tropical peatland. Based on our results, a more effective method for controlling peat fire can be developed.