"Not only helicopters (have been sent), but some Hawk fighter planes have also been used to monitor fires in Riau. We are monitoring the situation while conducting flying exercises," Roesmin Nurjadin Air Force Base spokesman Major Pilfadri said to Antara here on Thursday.
To help the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) fight land and forest fires in Riau, he said the air force had also fielded three helicopters, one Cicorski and two Bolcos, to conduct water-bombing operations.
"A Cassa plane that conducts weather-modification operations has also been deployed," he added.
BNPB spokesman Agus Wibowo explained that he had also coordinated with several companies this time around to get assistance with fighting the fires.
"Two companies that have pledged their cooperation are PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper and Sinarmas Group," he stated.
He noted that the two plantation and forestry companies had contributed two helicopters to monitor the fires and conduct fire fighting operations.
"During a fire several months ago, these two companies had actively assisted BNPB," he said.
He claimed BNPB does not yet know how much land has been burned due to the actions of irresponsible people.
"What is certain is that the fires are mostly located in lands belonging to plantation or forestry companies," he remarked.
The fires have led to an increase in air pollution in the region.
Light rain fell briefly on Thursday morning, reducing the level of pollution from the fires.
Compared to the day before when visibility was only about 300 meters, "the air this morning is fresher," stated Minem, a resident.
Even so, many people are continuing to wear masks while outdoors.
Head of the local BNPB office Said Saqlul Amri said cloud seeding would continue to produce rain, adding that the Agency of Technology Assessment and Application had put a minimum of two tons of salt into the operation every day.
The local health service announced that air conditions in the region over the past two days since Tuesday have been dangerous, noting that it had recorded an air quality standard of 300 PSI.
The local office of the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) confirmed that the number of fires had dropped drastically.
Based on NOAA 18 satellite images, local BMKG staff member Slamet Riyadi pointed out that there were 26 fires in Riau, across three districts: 15 were in Pelalawan, six in Indragiri Hulu, and five in Indragiri Hilir.
Initially, 152 fires had been recorded, mostly in Pelalawan, creating thick smog above Pekanbaru, he added.
Reporting by Fazar Muhardi, FB Anggoro
(KR-FZR/F012/H-YH/INE)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
