Forests, Carbon, and Climate: What Happens When Forests Burn?

Smoke has once again blanketed several parts of Indonesia during this year’s dry season. Forest and land fires (kebakaran hutan dan lahan, or karhutla) not only threaten forests and biodiversity, but also disrupt people’s activities, air quality, and the broader climate system.

In September 2026, most parts of Indonesia had entered the dry season. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) recorded that around 80.7 percent of Indonesia, or 564 Seasonal Zones, were experiencing the dry season during the first ten-day period of September. Relatively dry atmospheric conditions and the influence of El Niño have also increased the risk of forest and land fires. However, the dry season is not the only cause of fires.

When Dry Conditions Meet a Source of Fire

Low rainfall causes vegetation, leaf litter, and organic matter on the ground surface to become drier and more easily ignited. Weather factors such as temperature, humidity, solar radiation, and wind can also affect dryness levels and the spread of fire.

A study by Mardiani (2014) found a relationship between rainfall and the occurrence of hotspots in Aceh Province. Meanwhile, research by Saharjo and Hasanah (2023) in Pulang Pisau Regency found a relationship between rainfall conditions and hotspots during the 2017–2021 period.

However, natural conditions do not by themselves produce fires. Sources of ignition and human activities are also important factors. Land clearing or land management using fire, negligence, and other activities can increase the risk of fires, particularly when they occur across dry landscapes.

The Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency (BPLH, 2026) emphasizes that forest and land fires should be understood as an issue involving human factors, environmental conditions, and land governance. Therefore, efforts to address them cannot begin only after a fire has started, but must be strengthened through prevention and mitigation.

Forests and the Carbon They Store

Amid this challenge, one of the forest’s important functions is often overlooked: its role in the carbon cycle. Through photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere. The carbon is then stored in trunks, branches, leaves, roots, understory vegetation, leaf litter, and soil. Forest ecosystems therefore serve as both carbon sinks and carbon stores.

Tropical forests play an important role in the global climate system. The IPCC (2022) identifies tropical forests as natural carbon sinks and among the largest reservoirs of terrestrial biomass. However, this capacity also depends on healthy ecosystems that can continue to grow and regenerate.

When forests burn, this function is disrupted. Burned biomass and organic matter can release carbon into the atmosphere, while the loss of vegetation reduces the ecosystem’s ability to absorb carbon in the future.

The impact can be even greater in peatland ecosystems. Peatlands store large amounts of carbon beneath the soil surface. When peatlands are drained and burned, carbon that has been stored over long periods can be released into the atmosphere. Thus, fires are not only a matter of vegetation loss. They also disrupt one of the forest’s natural functions of storing carbon and helping maintain climate stability (IPCC, 2022).

Hotspots Across Different Areas

This threat is also a concern in the management of Lemmanis and Manjau Village Forests in West Kalimantan. In both areas, hotspot monitoring is carried out as part of efforts to remain alert to potential fires. The CFES team regularly monitors hotspot information through Nusantara Atlas. When indications of new hotspots are identified, the information is forwarded to field teams for follow-up.

In early September 2026, for example, a hotspot was detected in the Bukit Batu Menangis Block within Lemmanis Village Forest. The information was immediately shared with the field team in Sepakat Jaya Village. The patrol team then conducted field verification to assess the condition of the indicated location.

In Manjau Village Forest, Laman Satong Village, Ketapang Regency, monitoring was also carried out when there were indications of fire. The Manjau Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD), together with the village government and other relevant parties, conducted verification and supported control efforts in the field. Difficult terrain and limited access to water sources posed challenges for response efforts.

These experiences show that hotspot data is an initial source of information that needs to be translated into action. A point on a map cannot, by itself, provide a precise picture of the extent or condition of a burned area. Field verification remains necessary to determine the actual situation and identify appropriate next steps.

Building Systems as a Form of Mitigation

A rapid response when a fire occurs is important. However, protecting forests requires measures that begin long before a fire starts. Hotspot monitoring, patrols, early reporting, community preparedness, and coordination among different parties can all form part of a prevention system. Experiences at the field level are also important as lessons for preparing for the next dry season.

Such efforts require the involvement of multiple stakeholders. The government plays a role through policies, monitoring, law enforcement, early warning systems, and response support. Companies and land managers have a responsibility to ensure that their activities do not increase fire risks. Meanwhile, communities and village forest management institutions play an important role in monitoring and protecting forest areas that are closely connected to their lives and livelihoods.

BPLH (2026) also encourages stronger prevention and mitigation approaches so that efforts to address forest and land fires do not rely solely on firefighting after a fire has already occurred.

Forests and Carbon That Need to Be Protected

Forest fires demonstrate the close relationship between climate conditions, landscape management, and human activities. The dry season can make landscapes more vulnerable to fire, while fires can disrupt ecosystems and release carbon that was previously stored. Protecting forests so that they remain intact and healthy is therefore part of efforts to maintain ecosystem functions, keep carbon stored, and support climate stability.

The experience of Lemmanis and Manjau Village Forests shows that forest protection begins with concrete actions: understanding the condition of the landscape, monitoring changes, responding quickly to information, and building coordination at the field level.

Ultimately, addressing forest and land fires is not only about how we put out fires, but also about how we build systems capable of identifying risks, preventing fires, and keeping forests functioning for the benefit of the climate, biodiversity, and communities.

Keeping forests such as Lemmanis and Manjau intact requires more than one stakeholder. Follow and support community-based monitoring, patrols, and forest and land fire prevention efforts as part of concrete action to protect Indonesia’s forests and climate.

Sources

BMKG. 2026. Prakiraan Cuaca Indonesia Sepekan Periode 15–21 September 2026: Atmosfer Kering Mendominasi, Karhutla dan Asap Meluas. bmkg.go.id

Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency (BPLH). 2026. Mengapa Kebakaran Hutan dan Lahan Selalu Terjadi? kemenlh.go.id

IPCC. 2022. Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability — Cross-Chapter Paper 7: Tropical Forests. ipcc.ch

IPCC. 2022. Chapter 2: Terrestrial and Freshwater Ecosystems and Their Services. ipcc.ch

Mardiani, D. 2014. Hubungan Curah Hujan dan Titik Panas (Hotspot) dalam Kaitannya dengan Terjadinya Kebakaran di Provinsi Aceh. Undergraduate thesis, Bogor Agricultural University. repository.ipb.ac.id

Saharjo, B.H. & Hasanah, U. 2023. Analisis Faktor Penyebab Terjadinya Kebakaran Hutan dan Lahan di Kabupaten Pulang Pisau, Kalimantan Tengah. Jurnal Silvikultur Tropika, 14(1): 25–29. journal.ipb.ac.id