Indonesia strengthens forest fires monitoring in Kalimantan

Indonesia strengthens forest fires monitoring in Kalimantan (Photo: EPA/VNA)

Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian authorities on August 28 said at least 65 rural areas in nine out of 17 districts in East Kotawaringin, central Kalimantan are on high alert for forest fires.

The head of East Kotawaringin natural disaster management agency said the agency was monitoring the situation in order to quickly respond to any incident. 

The official revealed that there was an increase in the number of “hot spots” on high alert for forest fires in East Kotawaringin this month.

Local administration recently deployed airplanes to fight fires in the area, however fire fighting forces had struggled in the difficult terrain. 
Local authorities have disseminated information to improve public awareness of protecting the environment and ending slash and burn practises.-VNA