Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Meteorological Drought Index and Peat Fires Using Google Earth Engine (GEE) in Pelalawan Regency, Riau
Keywords:
Peat Fire, Drought Monitoring, Google Earth Engine, Pelalawan, Standard Precipitation IndexAbstract
Peatland ecosystems in Indonesia, particularly in Riau Province, are highly vulnerable to meteorological drought, which exacerbates the frequency and severity of peat fires. This study employs the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) to assess drought conditions in Pelalawan Regency (Riau Province) over 2012–2023 and examines their relationship with peatland fire occurrences. Google Earth Engine (GEE) was utilized for large-scale analysis, integrating high-resolution precipitation datasets from TRMM/GPM and fire hotspot data from NASA’s FIRMS to evaluate drought trends over different timescales. SPI values were calculated on a monthly scale and correlated with the distribution and timing of fire hotspots. The results revealed a strong inverse relationship (r = -0.75) between SPI values and fire occurrences, indicating that severe drought episodes (SPI < -1.5) often precede major fire events by approximately 1–2 months. Fire hotspots were spatially clustered in peat-dominated areas with recurrent drought conditions, particularly in degraded peatlands and plantation zones, highlighting these regions’ heightened vulnerability. By leveraging cloud-based geospatial analysis, this research demonstrates an enhanced capacity for real-time drought monitoring and early fire risk warning.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Enji Wijaya Sukma, Rinaldi, Sigit Sutikno (Author)
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