Dry peat ignites very easily and can burn for days or weeks, even smouldering underground and re-emerging away from the initial source (Fig. 1 & 2). … Estimated carbon emissions from these 1997-98 fires on peatlands were 0.81–2.57 Pg, equivalent to 13–40% of annual global fossil fuel emissions.

What causes bog fires?

Droughts, drainage and changes in land use are thought to be main causes leading to the high flammability conditions of dry peatlands. Possible ignition events can be natural (e.g. lightning, self-heating, volcanic eruption) or anthropogenic (land management, accidental ignition, arson).

Are peat fires difficult to control?

“Peat fires, once established, are extremely difficult to control, and notoriously difficult to extinguish,” the ​Desert Research Institute’s Dr. … Because the smoldering occurs in underground peat layers, the fires can endure weather that would douse other fires, and even survive winters.