The number increased from that recorded in the previous days."Muara Teweh (ANTARA News) - The Terra and Aqua satellites detected 73 hotspots indicating forest fires along Barito River that flows through the districts of North Barito, Murung Raya, East Barito, and South Barito, Central Kalimantan Province, on early Thursday.
"The hotspots were monitored on Thursday until 6 a.m. local time in the four districts. The number increased from that recorded in the previous days," Aswaludin, the spokesman of the Muara Teweh administration in North Barito District, stated.
Of the 73 hotspots, eight were found in South Barito, 14 in East Barito, 25 in North Barito, and 26 in Murung Raya.
The haze shrouding Muara Teweh reduced visibility to 300-400 meters on Thursday morning, compared to 1.5 thousand meters on the previous day.
The North Barito authorities have extended the haze emergency response status until October 31, 2015, from September 30 earlier.
On September 29, the haze arising from forest and plantation fires in North Barito District, Central Kalimantan, had reduced visibility to 50 meters in Muara Teweh.
"This morning, the thick haze, coupled with fog, significantly reduced the visibility and has been causing respiratory problems," Yaser, a local inhabitant of Muara Teweh, said.
Elpi Epanop, the head of the education office of North Barito, decided to shut down schools from kindergarten level to senior high in nine sub-districts until September 30 due to the haze.
(T.K009/Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
