Number of forest fire hot spots in Riau increasing

Pekanbaru - The number of forest fire hot

spots in Riau Province continues increasing daily, according

to data from the Pekanbaru meteorological, climatology and

geophysics agency (BMKG).

"Previously, on Saturday, Feb 11, there were 17 hot spots in

Riau, and since Sunday, Feb 12, the number has increased to 59," the

Pekanbaru BMKG forecaster, Warih Budi Lestari, said here on

Monday.

The hot spots have spread almost throughout all districts and towns in Riau, including in Meranti, Idnragiri Hilir and Kampas, with

one hot spot each, Pelalawan (four), Siak (nine), Rokan Hilir

(11), Dumai Town (14), and Bengkalis having the largest number

with 18 hot spots.

The hot spots are caused by human and natural factors, Warih said.

"We can actually anticipate the natural conditions, but some

people, in fact, deliberately set fires to open new plantation

areas," he noted.

During January 2012, there were 375 hot spots in Riau

Province, according to data obtained from the NOAA-18 satellite.

Several meteorological analysts said the hot spots were triggered by low rainfalls and high temperatures of above 33 degrees

Celsius.