Fire burns forest, plantation in Dumai
Fire burns forest, plantation in Dumai
10 February 2009
published by www.thejakartapost.com
Indonesia — Fire razed a protected forest as well as hectares of plantations surrounding Dumai city, Riau Province on Tuesday, causing heavy smoke and respiratory problems in the city.
As of noon, the authorities were still trying to put out the fire and contain it from spreading to other areas.
The local forestry department reported that the fire spans from Guntung in Medang Kampai District to Mamugo in Sungai Sembilan District.
“The burned areas not only include wild fields but also plantations,” department head Syaiful said, as quoted by the Antara news agency.
He said that the fire could have been caused by campers, who often make bonfires to cook. The air traffic management center at Pinang Kampai Airport said the wind was traveling at between six and 10 knots per hour at noon.
