"Previously, on Saturday, Feb 11, there were 17 hot spots in Riau, and since Sunday, Feb 12, the number has increased to 59," the Pekanbaru BMKG forecaster, Warih Budi Lestari, said here on Monday.
The hot spots have spread almost throughout all districts and towns in Riau, including in Meranti, Idnragiri Hilir and Kampas, with one hot spot each, Pelalawan (four), Siak (nine), Rokan Hilir (11), Dumai Town (14), and Bengkalis having the largest number with 18 hot spots.
The hot spots are caused by human and natural factors, Warih said.
"We can actually anticipate the natural conditions, but some people, in fact, deliberately set fires to open new plantation areas," he noted.
During January 2012, there were 375 hot spots in Riau Province, according to data obtained from the NOAA-18 satellite.
Several meteorological analysts said the hot spots were triggered by low rainfalls and high temperatures of above 33 degrees Celsius.
(Uu.F001/INE)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
