Indonesia deploys nearly 6,000 workers to extinguish forest fires

Deployment

Jakarta, Aug. 2, 2019 (dpa/NAN) Indonesian authorities have deployed nearly 6,000 workers and dozens of helicopters to extinguish forest and bush fires that have ravaged parts of Sumatra and Borneo islands, an official said on Friday.

“Fires had so far broken out in five provinces, affecting more than 30,000 hectares of forest,’’ said Agus Wibowo, spokesman for the National Disaster Management Agency.

“Riau province is the worst affected, but so far, air quality remains normal.

“More than 30 helicopters were being sent to drop water onto the affected areas.

“The current dry season was expected to last until October.

“Forest fires are an annual hazard in Indonesia and the resulting haze often affects neighbouring Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, driving air pollution to hazardous levels,’’ Agus said.

A study by researchers from Harvard and Columbia Universities found that more than 100,000 people in South-East Asia might have died prematurely in 2015 as a result of forest fires in Indonesia.

“At least, 25 people were killed in the 2015 fires, which caused economic losses estimated at $16 billion.’’ (dpa/NAN)
YI/AIB
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Edited by Yahaya Isah/Abdulfatah Babatunde