JAKARTA: (Bernama) Forest and land fires in Indonesia persisted, with 1,201 high-confidence hotspots recorded nationwide on Wednesday (Oct 7), down by 158 from the previous day.
The Forestry Ministry said Central Kalimantan recorded 182 hotspots, the highest among the six priority provinces, followed by South Sumatra (71), West Kalimantan (34), Jambi (21) and South Kalimantan (18), while Riau recorded none.
"The government has maintained 61 aerial units on standby, comprising 17 for patrol and weather modification operations and 44 for water bombing, while ground operations, firefighting, firebreaks, as well as the wetting and cooling of peatlands, are continuing to prevent fires from reigniting,” the ministry said in a social media post on Wednesday.
Thick smoke from the ongoing fires caused transboundary haze to affect neighbouring countries, including Malaysia, where 35 areas recorded unhealthy Air Pollutant Index (API) levels as of 10 am Wednesday, prompting schools in Johor to close for two days due to unhealthy air quality.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said the ministry was committed to gradually increasing the country’s forest police force from about 4,500 personnel currently to 70,000 within three to four years, as announced by President Prabowo Subianto.
"For us at the Forestry Ministry, strengthening the forest police is very important to improve the monitoring and protection of forest areas, including from the threat of encroachment and forest fires,” Raja Juli said in an Instagram post on Wednesday. - Bernama
