Indonesia is grappling with a severe environmental crisis as more than 13,000 hotspots were recorded across the country, marking a dramatic rise in wildfire activity days ahead of the country’s Independence Day celebration. 

According to Pantau Gambut, a non-governmental organization focusing on peatland conservation, the number of hotspots spiked by more than five times from June to July 2025, with the most severe outbreaks concentrated in Riau, West Kalimantan, and Aceh provinces. The smoke from these fires has even reached neighboring Malaysia and Singapore, causing health and environmental concerns in these countries as they will celebrate their own independence days.

The Indonesian government's handling of this recurring issue remains a point of contention. Despite the annual nature of the peatland fires, Indonesia continues to take a reactive approach, focusing primarily on firefighting efforts rather than addressing the underlying causes.

"The root of this crisis lies in the systematic destruction of peatland ecosystems, rather than simply blaming extreme weather conditions," Wahyu Perdana, Pantau Gambut Manager for Advocacy, Campaigns, and Communications, said as quoted in a statement on Friday, August 8, 2025 .

This year's rise in hotspots, which is four times greater than in July 2023 despite favorable weather conditions, supports this view.

Satellite images revealed alarming activities, such as the discovery of 287 hotspots within a protected peatland area in Muaro Jambi, Jambi Province. These hotspots are linked to the operations of PT Sumbertama Nusa Pertiwi, a company suspected of illegally clearing land, as evidenced by the organized burn patterns.

Pantau Gambut emphasizes the importance of protecting peatlands, which play a critical role in carbon storage. Indonesia holds the world's largest tropical peatland area, which contains around 57 gigatons of carbon − 20 times more than mineral soils. Deforestation and land drainage in peatland areas release greenhouse gases, exacerbating climate change.

Wahyu concluded, "Independence is not just about freedom from colonization, but also about ensuring access to clean land, water, and air."

Ongoing destruction of Indonesia's peatland ecosystems, driven by economic interests, remains a critical issue. Without meaningful policy changes, environmental monitoring, and legal enforcement, the crisis of peatland fires will continue to harm the nation's ecological health.

Pantau Gambut urges the government to shift from reactive firefighting to proactive, long-term solutions, including stricter regulations on land use and corporate accountability, to prevent further damage to Indonesia’s peatlands.