Haze returns to Pekanbaru

PEKANBARU, Riau: Smoke haze has again blanketed Pekanbaru and other parts of Riau province over the past three days, but everyday activities have been largely unaffected.

Head of the Riau Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bapedalda) Januardi said that no firespots were found in Riau forest areas, meaning that haze might have come from neighboring provinces. Januardi's conclusion was backed up with satellite data showing 17 firespots in neighboring Jambi province, seven in Central Kalimantan, four in Bangka Belitung and three spots in Riau Islands province. "If the haze comes from neighboring areas then there's nothing we can do but wait for it to clear," Januardi said. -- JP