Drained peatlands support persistent underground fires
#00248
Drainage exposes carbon-rich peat to drying and smoldering combustion that can persist underground, resist surface suppression and produce prolonged smoke.
Parent issue
#00230 Fire regimes are disrupted by suppression or inappropriate burning
Sustainable Development Goals
Location
global
Description
Intact peat remains wet enough to resist sustained combustion. Drainage for agriculture, forestry or infrastructure lowers water levels and makes deep organic soil available to smolder.
Peat fires can persist below the surface, reappear after apparent control, and generate prolonged haze and emissions. This issue concerns the hydrological condition that enables persistent peat combustion.
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Top solutions
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