Forest fires in Indonesia continue to pose as an alarming governmental, environmental, and societal concern. This study examines the context of land ownership transformation mainly before and after forest fires in palm oil plantation activities. The data were gathered through in-depth interviews, observation, and Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping. The majority of land transformations occurred from community property ownership to ownership by local elites, while the transformation from company to community and local elites was also found. Due to the injustice of land distribution, local communities occupy open access lands of companies’ concessions. The deliberate use of fire is a common method among smallholder to clear land for oil palm and for sold for profit as planted land. Local elites benefit from these land transformations; however, smallholders are at an economic disadvantage. We argue that forest devolution and a clear definition of community land boundaries are critical in dealing with this issue.

印度尼西亚的森林大火继续引起政府，环境和社会的担忧。本研究考察了棕榈油种植园活动中主要在森林大火发生之前和之后土地所有权转变的背景。通过深入的采访，观察和地理信息系统（GIS）映射收集了数据。大部分土地转型是从社区财产所有权转变为当地精英的所有权，同时也发现了从公司到社区以及当地精英的转变。由于土地分配不公，当地社区占用了公司特许权的开放式土地。在小农户中，故意使用火是清理土地以种植油棕和作为种植土地出售以牟利的一种常用方法。这些土地的转变使当地精英受益。然而，小农户在经济上处于不利地位。我们认为森林转移和对社区土地边界的明确定义对于解决这个问题至关重要。