Forest Fire Hotspots Detected in Sumatra

Pekanbaru, Riau (Antara Bali) - Some 25 forest and plantation fire hotspots were detected across Sumatra Island on Friday.

Of the total number, 18 hotspots were detected in Riau Province, Head of the Pekanbaru meteorological, climatology and geophysics office, Sugarin, said.

In Riau, the hotspots were found in the districts of Bengkalis (11 hotspots), Siak (3), Rokan Hilir (2), Kampar (1), and Rokan Hulu (1).

The 25 hotspots were the highest recorded number in Sumatra over the past two weeks.

The meteorological office also urged the Riau provincial government to anticipate wild fires during the dry season, which will begin in late May.

"Beginning in late May, Riau is forecast to enter the dry season, which will last until September," Sugarin said.

The wind direction is predicted to blow from south to northeast and north, which means that fire-triggered haze could spread to neighboring countries, such as Singapore and Malaysia.

"If, there is a haze disaster due to wild fires, for sure it will go to neighboring countries," he noted.

Earlier this year, acting Governor of Riau Arsyadjuliandi Rachman declared an emergency due to the wildfires in Riau between February and March 31, 2015.

The districts of Bengkalis and Meranti Islands also declared emergencies following forest and plantation fires that produced haze. (WDY)