Pekanbaru, Riau, Sept 7 (Antarariau.com) - The Terra and Aqua satellites of NASA detected 36 hotspots on Sumatra Island, with an accuracy rate at above 50 percent, on Wednesday at 7 a.m. local time.
The number increased from 29 hotspots recorded on the previous day, Slamet Riyadi of the Pekanbaru meteorology office stated here, Wednesday.
Of the 36 hotspots, 19 were found in South Sumatra, nine in Lampung, four in Riau, two in Bengkulu, and one each in Jambi and Bangka Belitung provinces.
In Riau Province, two hotspots were respectively found in Bengkalis and Meranti Islands Districts.
Riau is experiencing the wet-dry season, which is very helpful in preventing hotspots from turning into fire spots.
The Riau provincial administration has extended the forest fire emergency response period until November 30, 2016, to optimize efforts to combat forest fires.
Riau has been hit by annual forest fires over the last 18 years.
The fires produced thick haze or smoke that shrouded the city and choked thousands of inhabitants, including infants and children.
Thousands of flights had to be cancelled, schools had to be temporarily closed, and business activities were disrupted due to the haze.
Satellites Detect 36 Hotspots on Sumatra Island
