NOAA Satellite Detects 138 Hotspots In Sumatra

Pekanbaru, Riau, Oct 1 (ANTARA) - The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellites have revealed details of 138 hotspots of forest and plantation fires detected on Sumatra Island. "Of the total number of hotpsots, 38 hotspots were found in Riau Province, 11 in West Sumatra and four in North Sumatra," Sanya Gautami, an analyst of the Pekanbaru meteorological, climatology and geophysics agency (BMKG) said here on Monday. The maximum hotspots were found in South Sumatra, notably 67, and the rest were spread across Jambi (5), Bengkulu (5), Lampung (8), Bangka Belitung (8) and Riau Island Province (2). In Riau Province, the 38 hotspots were found in eight districts/cities, namely in Rokan Hulu (1), Rokan Hilir (1), Dumai (2), Meranti (3), Kampar (2), Pelalawan (7), Kuantan Singingi (2) and Indragiri Hilir (10). Gautami predicted that the number of hotspots on Sumatra Island might increase further due to the dry season. Slash-and-burn farming is prohibited during the dry season. Based on Law No. 41/1999 on Forestry and Law No.23/1997, violators could face up to 12 years in prison. Despite the ban, every year some local farmers use the slash-and-burn method because it is considered to be the most effective and least expensive method to clear land.