Fire is both a product and cause of peatland degradation. Drained, logged and converted peatlands are extremely susceptible to fire, which in turn leaves the system more severely degraded. Peatland surface fires are destructive, but, when these fires transition below ground into the peat, they become more dangerous in terms of the resulting greenhouse gases, pollutants, toxins and haze produced. Research has already shown the relationships between land clearing, drainage and rainfall patterns with fire frequency, severity and resulting greenhouse gas emissions. For these reasons, effective strategies are needed to reduce the incidence of peat fires through improved understanding and management. The mitigation of fire risk is best performed through a combined approach of monitoring, prediction and prevention.