Bush fires raging on Flores

Bush fires raging on Flores

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Bush fires have been raging on
Flores and on its surrounding islands, destroying food crops of
local farmers.

Thick haze has blanketed most of the eastern part of Flores
and the islands of Adonara, Solor and Lembata, Antara reported
yesterday.

Residents said bush fires are commonplace during the dry
season but that these were the most serious in years.

Local governments put the acreage of food crops destroyed in
the fires at "several thousand" hectares. The disaster has also
sparked fears of famine among farmers who will most likely lose
food supplies stored in huts, many of which are now burned
down.(pan)