Design and Experimental Validation of a Low-Cost Adaptive Firebreak for Waterless Peatland Fire Control and Reignition Prevention

Abstract

Peatland fires pose persistent environmental challenges because subsurface smoldering can continue after visible flames disappear, increasing the difficulty of suppression and the risk of reignition. Conventional water-based firefighting may be constrained by water availability, transportation requirements, and difficulties delivering sufficient cooling to underground combustion zones. This study proposes GAMBUT-LOCK, a low-cost adaptive firebreak concept designed to support waterless peatland fire control using locally sourced mineral materials, mechanically simple barrier construction, and subsurface temperature monitoring. The proposed research adopts a qualitative, design-oriented experimental approach involving material characterization, prototype development, controlled laboratory observations, and comparative evaluation of barrier configurations. The assessment will focus on the interruption of smoldering propagation, residual heating, potential reignition, operational simplicity, material requirements, and environmental compatibility. Unlike approaches that rely primarily on specialized extinguishing agents or complex thermal infrastructure, GAMBUT-LOCK emphasizes targeted intervention, locally available resources, and repeated thermal verification. Its proposed novelty lies in integrating hotspot identification, adaptive mineral barrier placement, and post-intervention monitoring within a practical firebreak framework. As the prototype has not yet been experimentally validated, its effectiveness and cost advantages remain to be established. The study is expected to provide an initial engineering basis for developing affordable, resource-efficient firebreak technology for tropical peatlands, subject to experimental validation and further assessment of environmental performance and patentability.