Volunteers Risk Lives Defusing Peat Fires Threatening Southeast Asia

In Borneo, Indonesia, volunteer teams are working to extinguish dangerous peat fires that pose serious risks to both human life and the environment. These fires burn through deep layers of ancient organic matter, releasing vast amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere. The resulting toxic smog spreads across multiple Southeast Asian countries, creating a regional air quality crisis. Peat fires are notoriously difficult to extinguish as they can burn underground for extended periods, making the volunteers' work especially hazardous.