Forest fires return to East Kalimantan

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