Riau Smoke (IMAGE)

University of Toronto

Riau Smoke

Caption

Fire and smoke from a burning peat forest on Pedang Island in Riau Province, Sumatra, Indonesia. The island is covered by forested peat up to 15 meters in depth. The excessive smoke is a common feature once the fire consumes the above-ground material and burns into the peat, which remains moist, but just dry enough to smolder. The photo was taken in July 1991 during the El Nino-induced dry season. The forest was slashed before burning. Intact forest on peat rarely burns. Riau province currently has the highest rate of deforestation in Indonesia.

Credit

Photo by Michael Brady, Canadian Forest Service.

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