Forest fires have become an environmental concern in recent years. However, the forest fires are only observed when they have already spread over a large area which making its control difficult or even impossible at a time. The objective of fire detection are finding and reporting fires in initial stages. The sooner the fires are report, the better the information involving its precise location, accessibility, sizes, intensity, the risks, etc. It is easier for the fires to be contained while they are still small. The information produce from monitoring can help the firefighters to understand the fire behaviour such as point of ignition, the spread speed and the direction of maximum spread.
They are many experiments about improving forest fires monitoring systems. For example, the accessibilities to forest fires data are the platform such as Global Forest Watch, or MODIS. In Indonesia case, the local organisation creates Peatland Restoration Monitoring system to track the progress of peat restoration project that is up-to-date, and reliable; as well as, planning the restoration activities. If the peat is keeping wet, the fire risk values will also decrease. This monitoring system does not monitor the fires at all.
Nevertheless, the monitoring system in Indonesia which should monitor the fires is still lacking. The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) published the analysis based on time-series imaginary from the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 Earth-observation satellites showing the area burnt during 2019; however, the Indonesian government and local scientists had criticised the analysis by saying that the satellite data had not been confirmed with the ground observations. So to confirm the data about the fires, both remote sensing, and ground and aerial patrolling need to be done.
However, to install the monitoring system in Indonesia is very tricky and the need to understand the local texture is very crucial. According to Petabencana, which is an organization designing a platform to monitor the flooding in Jakarta, some local people will break the monitoring system apart, then sell them because they are valuable. They do not see the value of the system that can help them prevent the fires because of their culture.
PEATLAND RESTORATION MONITORING SYSTEM (PRIMS)
Peat restoration monitoring system is a system to collect, process, analyze, and evaluate peat restoration activities performances. The system is managed by BRG and available for donors, NGOs, Provincial Government, Media and Society.
The purposes of monitoring system is ;
1. To inform the progress of peat restoration projects which is up-to-date, transparent, and reliable ( near real-time update )
2. As coordination tool for the synergy, effectiveness of restoration activities ( to avoil gaps, overlaps, bottleneck ) in seven provinces, across provinces and related ministries.
3. A tool for planning and internal coordination of restoration activities across deputies within BRG
SESAME is a real-time monitoring system created by a joint-cooperation between BTTP and Hokkaido University.
The station will be installed in a concession areas, including those under concession holders' responsibility and automatically send the data to the server. Those server will connect the data to the agencies.
The system will monitor the peat humidity, water surface level monitoring equipment, and groundwater level of peatland.
Peatland Restoration Information and Monitoring System ( PRIMS ) is an online platform providing the latest information on Indonesian peatland. The platform is designed for four types of people ;
1. Central and regional government agencies can access data on restoration plans and implementation; along with, monitor the results of peatland restoration attempts
2. BRG partner who participate in supporting peatland restoration attempts
3. Business sectors can also see concession area zoning, including areas selected for protection and cultivation. The platform will provide a basic plan and management of peatland restoration.
4. Local NGOs can help monitor the implementation of restoration activities on the ground.
COMMUNITY-BASED PEATLAND RESTORATION MONITORING SYSTEM
The Indonesian government has launched a policy to restore degraded peatland in the country, in response to the damages caused by deforestation, drainage, and forest fires. Monitoring is essential for evaluating the success of restoration activities; however, the project has been challenged by the expense of equipment which limits the possibility for large scale monitoring.
Community-based monitoring systems have been proposed as an alternative way to decrease costs, increase monitoring areas, and involve the local community. Local communities can engage in monitoring the ground water level, solar radiation, and soil moisture with technological support.
Canal blocking and measurement activities
Local communities members measure ground water level
The example of monitoring dashboard
MONITORING SYSTEM
TOOLS
The objectives of fire detection are finding and reporting fires in initial stages. The sooner the fire is reported, the better the information involving its precise location, accessibility, sizes, intensity, the risks, etc. It is easier for the fires to be contained while they are still small. The information produce from monitoring can help the firefighters to understand the fire behaviour such as point of ignition, the spread speed and the direction of maximum spread.