Pekanbaru, Riau, (Antarariau.com) - More than 35 hectares of dry peat lands have been gutted by fire in a number of sub-district areas in the Rokan Hilir District, Riau province, sending thick smoke potential to cause health hazard.
"Fire broke out yesterday in the sub-districts of Bangko and Tanah Putih and continued to spread until today," Riau police spokesman Adj.Comr Guntur Aryo Tejo said here on Sunday.
Guntur said a team of police officers have been sent to help overcome the fire in Banko where fire hit 32 hectares of bush land and swampy peat land in the village of Suka Damai Kepulauan Teluk Bano.
He said police also have identified the land owners including Paini, Udin, Kemis and Bandot.
"They have been questioned over the causes of the fire. It is still being investigated," he said.
Banko police in cooperation with local people and a team from PT Jatim succeeded in overcoming the fire on Saturday.
A team of police officers had also been sent to Tanah Putih, in a bid to cope with the bush fire.
Bush fires have almost every year cause problem with black haze of smoke disrupting flights in the region as far as Malaysia and Singapore.
Fire Hits 35 Hectare Of Dry Peat Land In Riau
