Forest fires return to East Kalimantan

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Forest fires returned to several parts of East Kalimantan province on Wednesday after a week of rainfall.

Local officials blamed residents for starting the fires to open farmland.

"During the week, it rained in some areas, so forest fires began to recede. But hot spots have suddenly reappeared there," said Kusnadi Katam, a senior official at the East Kalimantan forestry office.

He said that on Sept. 28 satellite monitoring by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) detected at least 84 hot spots in Kutai Kertanegara, Nunukan, East Kutai, West Kutai, Pasir and North Penajam Paser.

A day earlier, there were only 37 fires in Nunukan, Pasir and West Kutai, Kusnadi added. --JP