Fire Regime in Wasur National Park, Indonesia: Climatic Influences and Indigenous Burning Practices

This study examines the fire regime and its driving factors in Wasur National Park, Indonesia. This study employs a MODIS hotspot time-series analysis to examine the relationship between hotspot detections and climatic variables, supported by in-depth interviews with key informants from Kanume, an indigenous people living in Wasur NP. The findings reveal that the monsoonal climate, with its distinct dry and wet seasons, is strongly associated with annual variations in hotspot detection. From 2000 to 2023, hotspot detections were concentrated in the dry season, beginning in May-July, peaking in September-October, and declining in November-December when the wet season began. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that rainfall, number of rainy days, wind speed, and relative humidity are all associated with hotspot detections, whereas temperature shows a negligible relationship. El Niño and La Niña anomalies are linked to interannual variations in hotspot detections. Beyond climatic factors, Indigenous fire-use practices tied to local livelihoods provide a plausible anthropogenic pathway for burning. Based on Kanume's seasonal calendar, traditional burning commonly occurs during Tebrasaro and Sep-Sep; however, changes in burning practices and environmental conditions may increase the likelihood of less controlled fires. Beyond proximate climatic and human fire -use practices, fire activity patterns in Wasur NP reflect broader socio-ecological processes shaped by political-economic transformations and governance systems. These findings highlight the importance of fire governance approaches that recognize Indigenous fire governance systems and strengthen collaboration between state and customary institutions.