Pekanbaru, Riau, March 31 (Antarariau.com)- The Terra and Aqua satellites detected 22 hotspots indicating forest and plantation fires in Riau Province, Thursday.
The 22 hotspots were detected in seven districts and cities across Riau, Sugarin of the Pekanbaru meteorology station, said.
Dumai and Rokan Hilir had six hotspots each, Bengkalis five, Pelalawan two and Indragiri Hilir, Indragiri Hulu, and Meranti one each, he noted.
The number of hotspots across Sumatra Island on Thursday was 63, including 16 in Riau Islands Province, nine in Aceh, 14 in North Sumatra, and two in West Sumatra.
On March 7, the Riau provincial government declared an emergency alert status, indicating the need to expedite the efforts to prevent and handle forest and land fires following the discovery of the hotspots.
The status, which will remain effective for three months, is aimed at expediting the measures to handle and prevent forest and land fires.
Riaus district administrations of Meranti, Bengkalis, Dumai, Rokan Hilir, Siak, and Pelalawan have earlier also declared the emergency alert status.
Detected 22 Hotspots Indicating Forest and Plantation Fires in Riau
