Forest Fires Leave 48 Hot Spots in Sumatra
Forest Fires Leave 48 Hot Spots in Sumatra
24 January 2008
published by www.xinhuanet.com
Indonesia — 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.
