Pekanbaru, Riau, (Antarariau.com) - The Terra and Aqua Satellites have detected 86 hotspots indicating forest fires in Riau Province on Wednesday, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
"On March 4, 2015, at 7 a.m. Eastern Indonesian Time, the satellites detected a total of 96 hotspots over Sumatran Island, with Riau having the most with 86," stated BMKG Pekanbaru Head Sugarin.
Of the 86 detected hotspots in Riau, 55 hotspots had accuracy level above 70 percent, which indicated that they were the source of forest fires.
The local authority in February had declared an emergency response status for forest fires in the region due to the looming dry weather and the rampant land-clearing activities by burning the vegetation.
An Antara journalist, based in Pekanbaru, reported on Wednesday morning that Pekanbaru city was engulfed in thin smog resulting from the forest fires.
However, Sugarin said the PM10 air quality detector suggested that the quality of air in Pekanbaru was still safe.
Based on the observation conducted at 7 a.m. local time, the visibility range in Pekanbaru was five kilometers and still conducive for flight operations, Sugarin added.
Satellites Detect 86 Hotspots In Riau Province
