Vietnamplus

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in Pekanbaru, Indonesia, has detected 54 hotspots at high risk of bush and forest fires in several parts of Riau province, Sumatra island.

Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) has taken measures to prevent forest fires and smoke as the country will host the 2018 Asian Games (ASIAD 18) next month, which is the regular time of forest and peat land fire in Indonesia each year.

Indonesia’s Terra and Aqua satellites have detected 27 hotspots with risk of forest fire in seven provinces of Sumatra archipelago, according to the Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).

Dozens of people have been taken to hospitals for respiratory problems due to thick smoke caused by forest fires in Aceh province of Indonesia.

Prolonged dry weather has significantly increased forest fire risk in the southeast region, authorised agencies report.

The number of forest fires in Indonesia has increased remarkably over the last week, mainly on Sumatra islands.

Malaysia was hit by the worst haze it has experienced since early this year as smoke from forest fires caused alarming levels of pollution in six areas on August 5.