The Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency (BMG) said on
Wednesday recent forest fires in Sumatra Island have left at least 48
hot spots, 35 of which were located in Riau province.
Johanes Sudrajat, head of the BMG's analysis section, said the hot spots were detected by the "NOAA 18" satellite on Tuesday.
Of the 35 hot spots, three were in Rokan Hilir district, three in
Dumai city, 11 in Bengkalis district, eight in Siak district, seven in
Palelewan district and another three in Indragiri Hilir district.
And 13 hot spots have been discovered in the provinces of Aceh,
North Sumatra and West Sumatra, Johanes said, adding that the BMG
registered 23 hot spots a week ago.
The Forestry Ministry was reportedly intending to soon use a
Russian-made Kamov Ka-32A helicopter to combat forest fires raging in
West Kalimantan.
