Peatland Fires Research Articles

A 20 m spatial resolution peatland extent map of Alaska

Peatlands are prevalent across northern regions, including bogs, fens, marshes, meadows, and select tundra wetlands that all vary in size (e.g., 0.01 s to 10 s km2) and shape (e.g., circular to elongated). However, our best remotely sensed products describing the regional-scale distribution of peatland extents are constrained to 1 km2 pixels, often representing notable sub-pixel heterogeneity and local-scale uncertainties. Here we develop a new 20 m spatial resolution wall-to-wall ~1.5 million km2 peatland map of Alaska, using peat cores, ground observations, and sub-meter resolution image interpretation. Ground-data were used to train machine learning classifiers to detect peatlands using a fusion of Sentinel-1 (Dual-polarized Synthetic Aperture Radar), Sentinel-2 (Multi-Spectral Imager), and derivatives from the Arctic Digital Elevation Model (ArcticDEM), that were spatially constrained by a peatland suitability model. Statewide peatland mapping (overall agreement:85%) identified peatlands to cover 4.6, 10.4, and 5.3% of polar, boreal, and maritime ecoregions, respectively, and 7.3% of the total terrestrial land area. This new dataset will improve the representation of peatland carbon, nutrient, and fire dynamics across Alaska.

The Role of Community Social Capital in Sustainable Peat Management: A Case Study from Tanjung Leban Village, Bengkalis Regency, Indonesia

This study aims to identify activities and challenges as well as analyze the social capital of Disaster Concerned Communities (DCC) in sustainable peat management in Tanjung Leban Village, Bengkalis Regency. This study uses a qualitative methodology to systematically analyze community social capital in sustainable peat management, where the Nvivo 12 Plus software is used to analyze data and answer research questions posed. The results of this study indicate that the activities of the Disaster Concern Community (DCC) in Tanjung Leban Village in preventing forest and peatland fires include three phases of activity, namely the prevention phase (conducting routine patrols in finding hotspots and conducting outreach and education to the community), the extinguishing phase (collective fire suppression activities), and the peatland restoration phase of former burnt areas (planting and land rewetting activities). In the process, these activities still face challenges due to natural factors such as the structure of peat soils and hot weather which tend to be highly flammable, as well as internal (lack of solidarity) and external factors (lack of local government support). Then, the success of Tanjung Leban Village in recent years in reducing the number of land fires is the result of social capital which is dominated by aspects of institutional norms (30.76%), followed by 3 (three) other aspects, namely institutional social networks (23.08 %), institutional identification (23.08%), and trust in institutions (23.08%). Therefore, social capital is a crucial instrument in influencing the success of sustainable peatland management activities. Therefore, this research has an urgency and contribution to peatland management efforts that require strong social capital to influence the success of sustainable peatland management activities.

The politics of environmental policy: haze pollution, ASEAN, and the way forward

One of the lingering environmental issues faced in Southeast Asia is transboundary haze due to peatland fires. The issue is primarily evident in the Southern sub-region of ASEAN but affects the entirety of the Southeast Asian region. Recent spikes in haze since 2023 and ASEAN’s inability to adopt enforcing pronouncements and mediate the political ‘blame game’ between ASEAN member states lays the foundation for alternative approaches to curtail the environmental crisis. This empirical explanatory study utilizes primary and secondary data between 2014 and 2024 relevant to the political dynamics of haze pollution regulation in Southeast Asia. It is recommended that an ASEAN code of conduct be introduced to elevate the importance of transboundary haze regulations in Southeast Asia. A moderate level of its implementation grants ASEAN member states the freedom to determine the time period and form of domestic regulations to be practiced. In ensuring greater stakeholder accountability and participation, it is also recommended that ASEAN member states provide incentives for private entities adopting sustainable management practices of peatlands and sanction stakeholders who display non-compliance.

Community capacity building for reducing the risk of peatland fire in wetland area

Abstract Environmental problems in wetlands include peatland fires, especially during the dry season. Community capacity building is an effort to reduce the risk of peatland fires. This study aims to analyze the community’s capacity to reduce the risk of fire disasters on peatlands. Data collection will be done by conducting field observations and interviews and collecting documents related to research. Key informants in this study were fire care communities or Masyarakat Peduli Api (MPA) and community leaders who played an active role in peatland fire risk reduction activities. The study results show that communities have increased their capacity to reduce the risk of peatland fires. The formation of volunteer groups such as fire care communities or Masyarakat Peduli Api (MPA) and disaster care communities or Masyarakat Peduli Bencana (MPB) is an effort to increase community capacity. Various fire suppression socialization and training have been carried out to increase community capacity. Training for volunteer groups is carried out by the Regional Disaster Management Agency or Badan Penanggulangan Bencana Daerah (BPBD). The training included using fire extinguishers and how to extinguish them in the field. MPA is also actively involved in disaster preparedness activities, such as preparing before a disaster and monitoring locations prone to fire. These efforts have shown results in reducing the risk of peatland fires, although fires still happen on peatlands.

The Social Capital in The Disaster Mitigation of The Forest and The Peatland Fire in Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province

The fires of the forest and the peatland are serious environmental threats. In addition to damaging ecosystems, these fires also cause extensive health, social, and economic impacts. In the middle of the mitigation efforts, the social capital plays an important role in strengthening the capacity of the local communities to prevent and deal with these disasters. This study aims to explore the role of the social capital in the forest and the peatland fire mitigation using a qualitative approach. The case study was implemented in Tanjung Belit Village, Bengkalis, involving in-depth interviews with the local stakeholders, such as the Disaster Care Community (MPB), the local communities, and the local government. The results of the study indicate that the social capital in the form of the trust, the shared norms, and the social networks are the key elements in driving the collective action and increasing the effectiveness of mitigation programs. The active involvement of local communities, the understanding of the local wisdom, and the synergy between actors are the main drivers of the prevention efforts success of the forest and the peatland fire. This study concludes that the strengthening social capital is an important strategy that must be prioritized in community-based disaster mitigation policies to achieve environmental sustainability.

Communicating climate change: The role of nature-based community development program in enhancing stakeholders engagement

Climate change is a global problem that affects not only the elite but also local communities. Climate change has an impact on both urban and rural inhabitants, with droughts and crop failures among the most severe. In Indonesia, specifically in the village of Sungai Pakning, Bengkalis Regency, Riau Province; the Plaju sub-district, Palembang City, South Sumatra Province; and Klayas village, Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua Province. Climate change poses concern such as peatland fires, coastal erosion, rising temperatures, and limited availability to clean water and local food. This study is a case study undertaken in three places, concentrating on climate change communication initiatives carried out through the use of nature-based community development program. Climate change communication is carried out through the empowerment program by adopting a participatory approach, using local evidence as the primary information basis, involving local actors or local figures, conducting capacity-building training, and forming local community networks, all of which are executed through the implementation of nature-based community development program. The result is that by effectively implementing climate crisis communication, community empowerment programs can strengthen stakeholder engagement.

Modeling Canal Blocking with Endemic Vegetation in Jatimulyo Village

Peatland fires in Jambi Province are recurrent, consuming above-ground vegetation and causing large-scale ecosystem damage. Peat ecosystem restoration efforts must begin with rewetting through the construction of canal blocks to inhibit water loss and keep peat soil moist during the dry season. The construction of canal blocks in peatlands has been carried out, including in Jatimulyo Village, Dendang District, East Tanjung Jabung Regency, Jambi Province. Semi-permanent canal bulkhead structures often break down if the water discharge from upstream is very large so that the bulkhead does not last long. The purpose of this activity was to design a model for strengthening canal bulkheads using endemic vegetation species including pulai, jelutong, and gelam planted on the bulkhead body structure. Endemic vegetation planting was carried out in four canals by planting pulai, gelam, and jelutong seedlings. Each canal was planted with a distance of 50x 50 cm so that there were approximately 74 seedlings planted in each canal bulkhead body. This PKM activity is expected to have an ecological impact on peatlands, especially in Jatimulyo Village, both in the short term to strengthen the canal structure and in the long term to maintain a wet state on peatlands.

Data Indo InaFire: Spatial Visualization of Peatland Fire Impact and Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring in PHU Jambi using Earth Engine Apps and Sentinel-2 MSI Imagery

Peatlands formed from long-term accumulation of partially decomposed organic matter in wetland areas. This particular ecosystem is not only capable of sequestering significant quantities of carbon but also vulnerable to forest and land fires (karhutla). Peatland produces considerable CO₂ emissions during fire occurrences, which consequently requires spatiotemporal monitoring to sustain its ecological roles and functions. This study aims to map the severity of fires in peatland ecosystems, estimate the success of post-fire restoration, and develop an Earth Engine Apps-based monitoring platform for peatland fire monitoring. Fire severity assessment and post-fire restoration success estimation were conducted in Jambi's Peat Hydrological Unit (PHU) in 2019 using the Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) index derived from Sentinel-2 MSI satellite imagery. Most of Jambi PHU's fire severity and restoration levels are high. The area of PHU Jambi with high fire severity was 7,822.91 hectares, while the area with high restoration success was 23,744.69 hectares. NBR monitoring in PHU Jambi can be used to detect fire severity and restore success. The visualization of forest and land fire severity was successfully displayed on the Data Indo InaFire webGIS platform, an Earth Engine Apps-based monitoring platform.

Geobotanical indication of the drained state of disturbed peatlands for fire hazard assessment

The issue of fire hazard in abandoned peatlands is particularly relevant nowadays, as the negative consequences of peatland fires lead to deterioration in public health and the functioning of the entire infrastructure system. The problem of predicting and assessing peat burning is a global one, with numerous studies being conducted not only in Russia but also abroad, i. e., in CIS countries, Southeast Asia, Canada, and the United States. However, the relationship between vegetation communities and the frequency of fires receives insufficient attention. The study is devoted to assessing the condition of degraded peatlands using geobotanical indicators of peat soils on the example of peatlands in Leningrad and Pskov regions. Three key objects were selected, which represent abandoned peat deposits. The methodology for assessing the fire hazard of peatlands is based on a comprehensive approach, including the creation of large-scale vegetation maps using a series of satellite images and field geobotanical descriptions, and the analysis of fires on objects for the period from 2000 to 2023 using satellite images and thermal data. As a result of the study, maps of fire frequency and duration and maps of natural-territorial complexes for each plot were obtained. The analysis of the relationship between vegetation communities and the frequency of fires showed that the species composition of the communities correlates relatively well with the time elapsed since the date of the last fire, and to a lesser extent with the duration of the fires. Indicative relationships between fire frequency and vegetation cover are quite strong, so the type of vegetation cover can be used as an indicator of fire frequency on a peatland. On territories with peat bogs with a sparse birch forest, fire occurs at least once every 5 years. On territories with sphagnum associations and reed swamp associations, fire occurs no more than once every 20 years.

Effects of Peatland Fires on Above-ground Carbon Stocks in Kepulauan Meranti Regency, Riau Province

Peat fires substantially alter ecosystem dynamics and carbon storage, making it essential to understand how fire-related components affect post-fire carbon stocks. This study aims to estimate the above-ground carbon stock on burned peatlands in Kepulauan Meranti Regency, Riau Province, and examine how fire recurrence, last fire occurrence, and burn severity influence the carbon stock using a modified regression model and remote sensing data. The normalized burn ratio index difference between post- and pre-fire was used to calculate burn severity. The continuous predictor variable was transformed using a natural logarithm to generate the best-fit model. The 2014 burned peatland stored the highest carbon, whereas the 2020 burned peatland was the lowest. The 2020 fire period was the most severe compared to the 2014 and 2018–2019 fires, although it had a smaller burned area. This study highlights that fire-related components significantly affect post-fire peatland above-ground carbon stocks, particularly last fire occurrence and burn severity. Meanwhile, fire recurrence had the weakest impact and correlation with above-ground carbon stock compared to other predictors, likely due to the brief intervals between fire events in 2018 and 2019, which may have restricted ecosystem recovery and limited carbon storage capacity.

A review of particulate matter (PM) in Indonesia: trends, health impact, challenges, and options.

This study reviews particulate matter (PM) research in Indonesia, focusing on current trends, health impacts, challenges, and future research directions. As the largest archipelago country, Indonesia faces severe pollution annually due to rapid urbanization, industrial activities, vehicle emissions, and forest fires. PM levels often exceed WHO and NAAQS standards, especially in urban areas and during forest fire seasons, posing significant health risks to vulnerable populations. Most PM studies have been conducted in major cities, primarily concentrated on Java Island. While there are several studies in Sumatra and Borneo, they commonly focus on the effects of peatland fires, and research in the eastern part of Indonesia remains limited. Substantial gaps in PM studies have been highlighted, including limited monitoring infrastructure, technology, data inconsistencies, and socio-economic challenges. Recent studies emphasize the need for more research on size-segregated PM, including ultrafine particles (UFPs), to fully understand their behavior in the atmosphere, sources, distribution, and health impacts. Chemical analysis and source apportionment studies are also crucial but currently limited due to equipment and analytical challenges. To improve PM management, the study proposes strategic options, including adopting advanced monitoring technologies along with low-cost samplers, increasing funding and technical training, enhancing coordination among stakeholders, and fostering international collaboration. Furthermore, public awareness campaigns and community-based monitoring are essential for effective air quality management.

Fire-Induced Multiple Changes in Electron Transfer Properties of Peat Soil Organic Matter: The Role of Functional Groups, Graphitic Carbon, and Iron.

Peatland fires induced changes in electron transfer properties and relevant electroactive structures of peat soil organic matter (PSOM) remain ambiguous, impeding comprehension of postfire biogeochemical processes. Here, we revealed temperature-dependent electron exchange capacity (EEC) of PSOM dynamics through simulated peat soil burning (150-500 °C), which extremely changed postfire microbial Fe-nanoparticles reduction and methanogenesis. EEC diminished significantly (60-75% loss) due to phenolic-quinone moieties depletion with increasing temperature, regardless of oxygen availability. The final EEC in oxic burning surpassed that of anoxic burning by 1.5 times, attributed to additional quinones from oxygen incorporation. Notably, EEC exhibited heat resistance up to 200 °C and stabilized above 350 °C. Additionally, fire reshaped the EEC-relevant redox-active moieties. Heterocyclic-N generated from burning predominantly contributed to the electron-accepting capacity (EAC) alongside quinones, while phenolic moieties and bonded Fe(II) enhanced the electron-donating capacity (EDC). However, the preferential binding of heterocyclic-N to Fe(II) restricted the EDC of Fe(II). Interestingly, the decrease in EAC declined its electron-shuttling effects in microbial Fe nanoparticle reduction, but fire-induced graphitic carbon formation increased the electrical conductivity (EC) of PSOM, promoting electron transfer. Further, enhanced EC may facilitate methanogenesis in postfire peatlands. These findings advance our understanding of elemental biogeochemical cycles and greenhouse emission mechanisms in postfire peatlands.

Association between long-term PM2.5 exposure and mortality on Sumatra Island: Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) 2000–2014

The concentration of PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter < 2.5 µm) on Sumatra Island has increased, mainly because of forest and peatland fires, transportation, and industry. Biomass burning releases partially burned carbon into the atmosphere, resulting in a smoky haze containing PM2.5. Air quality has deteriorated quickly, and PM2.5 has become a major health hazard in Indonesia. Studies on long-term exposure to PM2.5 have indicated its associations with both morbidity and mortality. Here, we measured long-term (2000–2014) exposure to PM2.5 on the basis of satellite-derived aerosol optical depth measurements (1 × 1 km2) used to predict ground-level PM2.5 concentrations. Additionally, population data on Sumatra Island residents from the fourth wave of the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS) were obtained. We investigated the association between long-term PM2.5 exposure and mortality with a retrospective cohort study design. A total of 2409 subjects aged ≥ 40 years participated in the IFLS-3 beginning in November 2000, and we examined mortality outcomes until the IFLS-5 in September 2014. We used Cox regression models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) of mortality associated with PM2.5 exposure. According to the adjusted model, the mortality HRs per 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 concentration were 1.10 (95% CI 1.03, 1.17) for all natural causes, 1.17 (95% CI 1.05, 1.25) for cardiovascular causes, and 1.19 (95% CI 1.04, 1.36) for respiratory causes. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 was associated with all-natural, cardiovascular, and respiratory mortality on Sumatra Island, where PM2.5 levels exceed the WHO and US-EPA air quality standards.

Catastrophic impact of extreme 2019 Indonesian peatland fires on urban air quality and health

Tropical peatland fires generate substantial quantities of airborne fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and in Indonesia are intensified during El Niño-related drought leading to severe air quality impacts affecting local and distant populations. Limited in-situ data often necessitates reliance on air quality models, like that of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, whose accuracy in extreme conditions is not fully understood. Here we demonstrate how a network of low-cost sensors around Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan during the 2019 fire season, quantified extreme air quality and city-scale variability. The data indicates relatively strong model performance. Health impacts are substantial with estimates of over 1200 excess deaths in the Palangka Raya region, over 3200 across Central Kalimantan and more than 87,000 nationwide in 2019 due to fire-induced PM2.5 exposure. These findings highlight the need for urgent action to mitigate extreme fire events, including reducing fire use and landscape remediation to prevent peat fire ignition.

Prototype Pendeteksi Kebakaran Hutan Berbasis Internet

Astimesadvance,forestsareincreasinglythreatenedanddamaged,oneofwhichisforest fires.Forestfiresoccurduetotwofactors:naturalfactorsandhumanfactors.Naturalfactorscausingforest fires include climate change and rising temperatures. Another factor is human activitythat damages forests for purposes such as industrial interests and land expansion. Currently,forest fires have been designated as a national natural disaster by the government because theyhave caused significant losses across various sectors. Forest fire management is generallyconducted through firefighting and post-fire handling, alongside prevention campaigns aimedat discouraging forest burning among communities. Early warning systems and detection arecrucialforforestfireprevention. Thetechnicalaspectissupportedbygovernmentinfrastructuresuch as observation towers to monitor fire-prone areas. Forest or peatland fires can start fromsmall ignition points and escalate into large blazes. During Indonesia's dry seasons, numerousignitionpointstypicallyoccurinKalimantanandSumatra,fueledbydrygrass,wood,andotherflammable materials. To identify fire-prone areas, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index method iscommonly used. This method assesses fire hazard based on dryness levels in specific regions.Accurate analysis helps prevent and manage land fires effectively. Regular education andoutreachprogramsareessentialtoraiseawarenessamongthepublicaboutthedangersofforestfires,preventionmethods,andproperfiremanagement.Theseeffortsaimtoincreasecommunity involvement in forest conservation. Furthermore, education serves as a means todemonstratepracticalfirefightingtechniquesandstrategiesdirectlyinthefield."

GAMBUT field measurement of emissions from a tropical peatland fire experiment: from ignition to spread to suppression

Background Accurate quantification of emissions from peatland wildfire is crucial for understanding their feedback to the atmospheric and Earth system. However, current knowledge on this topic is limited to a few laboratory and field studies, which report substantial variability in terms of the fire emission factors (EFs). Aims We aim to understand how emissions vary across the life cycle of a peatland fire. Methods In August/September 2018, we conducted the largest and longest to-date field-scale experimental burn on a tropical peatland in Sumatra, Indonesia. Field measurements of gas emissions from the fire experiment were conducted using an open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to retrieve mole fractions of 11 gas species. Key results For the first time, we calculated and reported EFs from 40 measurement sessions conducted over 2 weeks of burning, encompassing different fire stages (e.g. ignition, smouldering spread, and suppression) and weather events (e.g. rainfall). Our findings provide field evidence to indicate that EFs vary significantly among fire stages and weather events. We also observed that the heterogeneous physicochemical properties of peatland site (e.g. moisture content) influenced the EFs. We also found that modified combustion efficiency was highly sensitive to complex field variables and could introduce large uncertainties when determining the regimes of a peat fire. Conclusions and implications Further studies to investigate peat fire emissions are needed, and more comprehensive mapping of peatland heterogeneity and land use for emissions inventories, accounting for spatial and temporal variability in EFs since the initiation of a fire event is required.

Efforts to prevent peatland fires through implementing local community education

PurposeThis research was conducted to develop a public education model in an effort to prevent peatland fires in Indonesia.Design/methodology/approachThis research uses qualitative and quantitative data obtained through a participatory rural appraisal approach. The approach taken is group-oriented to collect information from local communities. Field surveys were carried out by selecting locations in areas prone to peatland fires, making observations and discussing with informants at the research location.FindingsThe occurrence of fires in peatlands is caused by intentional and unintentional factors. Intentional factors come from traditional agricultural practices, the low cost of burning peat land, land ownership conflicts and increasing demand for agricultural land. Unintentional factors caused by lack of discipline in the people around the peatlands include throwing cigarette butts carelessly, making campfires and uncontrolled burning of rubbish.Research limitations/implicationsThe community played a crucial role in fire prevention through the establishment of the Fire Care Community (Masyarakat Peduli Api or MPA) group. This group adopted a community-based disaster management approach. The community education model consisted of individual and mass approaches. The individual approach comprised direct and indirect communication, technical guidance and face-to-face services to the community. The mass approach included socialization and campaigns, discussion forums, social media content related to fire prevention, restoration actions and incorporating peatland fire mitigation into the local disaster curriculum.Originality/valueThe results of this research provide input for policymakers in efforts to prevent peatland fires in Indonesia. These findings are a model for increasing local community participation through training and guidance.

Identify the Region's Flagship Products: Focused on the Sustainability of Resources and the Environment

The purpose of this research is to identify in Mak Teduh Village, where most of the area consists of peatland with oil palm, rubber, and acacia plantations, the local potential that can be developed into superior products for the village as a means to enhance the community's economy through development focused on the sustainability of resources and the environment. The identification method is applied by the OVOP (One Village One Product) criteria and SWOT analysis. The results of the research indicate several local potentials that can be developed into superior products, namely creative industries in the form of pandan leaf crafts and crafts from recycled plastic, fisheries such as salted fish, and livestock including acacia honey cultivation. In addition, there is also the potential for tourism that can be developed. Based on the OVOP criteria and SWOT analysis, the potential of the village that can be developed as a flagship product is in the cultivation of acacia honey. The availability of land and bee feed in acacia and palm plantations, as well as opportunities in national and international markets, means that acacia honey cultivation also provides a chance for communities to engage in sustainable businesses while enhancing public awareness of forest and environmental conservation. The cultivation of acacia honey also serves as a preventive solution to the cases of forest and peatland fires that frequently occur in Mak Teduh Village.

System Dynamics Model of CO2 Pollution Stocks Changes Due to Emissions and Absorbent in Indonesia

Air pollution, including CO2 pollution, is a serious issue worldwide, including in Indonesia. This CO2 pollution can impact public health and the environment. In the context of economic development, activities in Indonesia are increasing, leading to higher CO2 emissions. The highest CO2 emissions come from deforestation, large-scale peatland fires, and, to a lesser extent, burning fossil fuels for energy. This research focuses on a simple System Dynamics model approach to understand the cause-and-effect relationship of changes in CO2 pollution stocks concerning emissions and absorption in Indonesia. The method used in this study is qualitative based on system dynamics. System dynamics is a method that can be used to create structures, predict behavior, and provide feedback. The System Dynamics model uses Powersim Studio 10 Express, covering the research period from 2020 to 2040. The results of the system dynamics model show two structures related to CO2 pollution stocks: a positive feedback (reinforcing loop) from CO2 emissions and a negative feedback (balancing loop) from CO2 absorbent. The behavior of the model is exponential growth, it’s also considered valid due to simulation results based on real data processing and statistical analysis, yielding an Average Means Error (AME) of 0.56%.

SOIL MOISTURE PREDICTION MODEL IN PEATLAND USING RANDOM FOREST REGRESSOR

Soil moisture is one of the factors that has recently become the focus of research because it is strongly correlated with forest and land fires, where low soil moisture will increase drought and the incidence of forest and land fires. For this reason, this study aims to create a prediction model for soil moisture as an early prevention of fires in peatlands using the Random Forest Regressor (RFR) algorithm. RFR is used because of its ability to predict values and its resistance to overfitting and outliers. A dataset covering soil moisture, precipitation, temperature, maturity, and peat thickness was collected from August 2019 to December 2023. The data includes soil moisture, precipitation, temperature, maturity, and peat thickness. The data were divided into 80% for modeling and 20% for testing. Model performance was optimized through random search CV, resulting in significant prediction accuracy R-squared: 0.914, MAE: 0.0081, MSE: 0.0007, RMSE: 0 .0271, and MAPE: 0.969. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of RFR in soil moisture prediction and pave the way for more appropriate and timelier implementation of fire mitigation strategies.