Pekanbaru, Riau, March 16 (Antarariau.com) - The Terra and Aqua satellites detected seven hotspots in Riau Province on Friday morning.
"Five of the seven hotspots are found in Rokan Hilir District," Sukisno, head of the Pekanbaru meteorology station, stated here, Friday.
The number of hotspots in Riau increased from three on Thursday evening, he noted.
In addition to Rokan Hilir, one hotspot was respectively found in Pelalawan and Meranti Islands Districts.
Acting Governor of Riau Wan Thamrin Hasyim remarked that most forest fires in the province were caused due to the use of the slash and burn farming method.
The Indonesian government has banned the practice of slash and burn farming and imposed harsh punishment on arsonists.
The number of hotspots in Riau Province since early 2018 has increased significantly owing to which the Riau administration has declared a forest fire emergency status from February 19 to May 31, 2018.
Since January 14, 2018, fires gutted a total of 849.5 hectares (ha) of land.
The gutted forest and plantation areas were found in Meranti Islands District, reaching 218 ha; Siak, 130 ha; Indragiri Hulu, 121.5 ha; Bengkalis, 117 ha; Dumai, 109.25 ha; Pelalawan, 56 ha; Pekanbaru, 31 ha; Rokan Hilir, 26 ha; Indragiri Hilir, 24 ha; Kampar, 15.25 ha; and Rokan Hulu, 1 ha
Satellites Detected 7 Hotspots in Riau Today, More Than Yesterday
