A forecaster at the Pekanbaru BMKG station, Santy S, reported that the number of hotspots, spread across nine districts/cities in the province, is based on data collected as of 4 p.m. local time on Saturday.
“There are 14 hotspots with a high confidence level, 20 with a medium confidence level, and 240 with a low confidence level,” he said in Pekanbaru on Saturday. The confidence level indicates how reliable a hotspot prediction is.
Besides Rokan Hilir district, hotspots have also been detected in Rokan Hulu (69), Pelalawan (13), Siak (12), Kampar (11), Dumai city (8), Bengkalis (4), Meranti Islands (1), and Kuantan Singingi (1).
Meanwhile, a total of 440 hotspots have been recorded in Sumatra Island.
The agency has also identified 98 hotspots in North Sumatra, 28 in West Sumatra, 10 in South Sumatra, 6 in Jambi, 3 in the Riau Islands, and 1 in Aceh.
Currently, the Riau region is entering peak dry season, with the probability of rainfall expected to decrease in the coming days.
The BMKG has urged the public, especially people living near peatlands or engaged in agricultural activities, to refrain from open burning and remain alert for smoke from forest and land fires.
Although no early warning has been issued, the public has still been advised to remain vigilant against forest and land fires, especially in areas with the highest number of hotspots.
The Pekanbaru BMKG, the official assured, will continue to monitor and update information related to the weather and hotspots regularly.
Translator: Arie Novarina
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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