Indonesia: Fighter planes monitor fires in Riau

Antara 29 Aug 13;

Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA News) - Several of the Air Force`s Hawk 100/200 fighter planes have been deployed to monitor bush fires in Sumatra`s Riau Province.

"Not only helicopters (have been sent), but some Hawk fighter planes have also been used to monitor fires in Riau. We are monitoring the situation while conducting flying exercises," Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base spokesman Major Pilfadri said to Antara here on Thursday.

To help the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) fight land and forest fires in Riau, he said the air force had also fielded three helicopters, one Cicorski and two Bolcos, to conduct water-bombing operations.

"A Cassa plane that conducts weather-modification operations has also been deployed," he added.

BNPB spokesman Agus Wibowo explained that he had also coordinated with several companies this time around to get assistance with fighting the fires.

"Two companies that have pledged their cooperation are PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper and Sinarmas Group," he stated.

He noted that the two plantation and forestry companies had contributed two helicopters to monitor the fires and conduct fire fighting operations.

"During a fire several months ago, these two companies had actively assisted BNPB," he said.

He claimed BNPB does not yet know how much land has been burned due to the actions of irresponsible people.

"What is certain is that the fires are mostly located in lands belonging to plantation or forestry companies," he remarked.

The fires have led to an increase in air pollution in the region.

Light rain fell briefly on Thursday morning, reducing the level of pollution from the fires.

Compared to the day before when visibility was only about 300 meters, "the air this morning is fresher," stated Minem, a resident.

Even so, many people are continuing to wear masks while outdoors.

Head of the local BNPB office Said Saqlul Amri said cloud seeding would continue to produce rain, adding that the Agency of Technology Assessment and Application had put a minimum of two tons of salt into the operation every day.

The local health service announced that air conditions in the region over the past two days since Tuesday have been dangerous, noting that it had recorded an air quality standard of 300 PSI.

The local office of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) confirmed that the number of fires had dropped drastically.

Based on NOAA 18 satellite images, local BMKG staff member Slamet Riyadi pointed out that there were 26 fires in Riau, across three districts: 15 were in Pelalawan, six in Indragiri Hulu, and five in Indragiri Hilir.

Initially, 152 fires had been recorded, mostly in Pelalawan, creating thick smog above Pekanbaru, he added.

Reporting by Fazar Muhardi, FB Anggoro
(KR-FZR/F012/H-YH/INE)

Haze forces temporary closure of schools in Pekanbaru
Antara 29 Aug 13;

Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA News) - The Pekanbaru education office has temporary closed kindergartens and elementary schools partly in the city, which have been hit by haze.

Kindergarten, first, second and third grade students are prone to haze-induced respiratory problems, and therefore, they are spared from going to schools, said Head of the Pekanbaru Education Office Zulfadil on Thursday.

Students from the fourth to 12th grades still have to go to school despite the haze problem, he added.

The Riau provincial health office has warned that the air condition in Pekanbaru, the province`s capital, is categorised as dangerous.

Dewani, the head of the Riau health office, said the pollutant standard index in the city hit 320 PSI on Wednesday but it decreased to 100 PSI on Thursday morning.

The office, therefore, recommended the closures of schools for kindergarten until third grade students.

On Wednesday, three students fell unconscious while joining outdoor sport activities.

Last Tuesday, a state Islamic Junior High School (MTsN) in Pekanbaru was temporarily closed as a result of the haze covering the city following the reemergence of hotspots from forest and plantation fires.

"We have decided to send the students back home because the conditions created by the haze are quite worrying," Sofyan, a teacher at MTsN Andalan, said.

Initially, the students had taken classes as usual in the morning, but as the day progressed, the haze had entered the classrooms, and most of the students had started to complain of eye irritation and respiratory problems due to the fog, he stated.

After getting permission from the city`s religious affairs office, the school discontinued teaching and sent approximately 600 students home.

The haze reduced visibility in Pekanbaru to around 500 meters on Tuesday morning.

According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), Riau`s 10 districts and cities had a total of 264 hotspots earlier this week.

(KR-BSR/F001)

Editor: Jafar M Sidik