Fire and haze

Once a cost-effective tool used by smallholder farmers to clear land, fire is becoming an annual crisis in Indonesia’s peatlands, the Amazon forest and other parts of the world. CIFOR’s approach targets both multi-level policies and grassroots action.


Farmers have used fire to clear land for agriculture for centuries, and it’s still the cheapest option for many. But whether they’re lit by smallholders, local elites or large corporations, fires can get out of control, destroying forests or creating a toxic haze that can blanket several countries for months.

Through scientific analysis, targeted outreach activities and proactive engagement with everyone from smallholders to ministers, CIFOR has helped build a consensus on the best ways to reduce the risk of peatland fires in Indonesia – while building communities’ ability to farm without lighting a match.

Latest knowledge products

Download our most recent publications, and get up to date with the latest news, videos, photos, presentations and datasets.

Other topics you might be interested in

Climate change

CIFOR works at the nexus of climate change, energy and low-carbon development to support countries...

Learn more

Ecosystem services

CIFOR is creating the evidence base policy makers need to make effective decisions that support...

Learn more