A comparative study between Florida's mineral soils and Malaysia's peatlands reveals why prescribed burning is dangerous in Southeast Asia. Malaysian peat contains up to 70 times more carbon than the soils used for controlled burns in the US, meaning fires can penetrate meters deep and burn underground for weeks. To prevent massive carbon releases and regional haze, the research emphasizes peatland rewetting and blocking drainage canals. Keeping peat saturated is the only reliable way to stop smouldering combustion and protect these critical carbon archives.
