| Summary: | Smouldering peat fires constitute a persistent threat to environmental integrity and public health, particularly within tropical peatlands characterised by variable moisture conditions. This study aimed to investigate the influence of physical and chemical properties of peat soil specifically moisture content, pH, specific gravity, organic matter, and fibre content on smouldering fire behaviour through a combination of laboratory and field-based approaches. The study holds academic significance by advancing the understanding of fire propagation, as well as practical relevance in informing effective fire prevention strategies. Laboratory-scale smouldering experiments were conducted in a controlled burn box equipped with thermocouples to monitor temperature variations at depths of 2 cm, 5 cm, and 8 cm under moisture contents of 5%, 50%, 100%, 150%, and 200%. A drone-mounted thermal imaging system was employed during field observations to detect high-risk burning areas and to validate laboratory findings under real-world conditions. The results indicated that moisture content was the primary factor affecting ignition, propagation rate, and combustion temperature. Sustained smouldering occurred at moisture contents below 50% with peak temperatures exceeding 550°C, whereas ignition was inhibited at moisture content above 100% due to the increased energy required for moisture evaporation. Wind was observed to enhance oxygen supply and fire propagation, particularly at the surface layer, with wind conditions resulting in slightly higher combustion temperatures than no-wind scenarios. The field thermal imaging revealed that the natural peat moisture contents exceeding 300%, corroborating the moisture threshold findings from the laboratory experiments. The threshold indicator graph developed from the results suggested that moisture content exceeding 150% effectively prevented ignition. These findings contributed to the establishment of predictive indicators and thresholds for early detection of fire-prone conditions. The study offered valuable insights for environmental monitoring, early intervention, and management strategies to reduce the risk and impact of uncontrolled peat fires.
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