Number of hotspots increasing in South Sumatra

South Sumatra Forestry Agency has recorded an increasing number of hotspots in several regencies and cities as the province enters the dry season.

Ahmad Taufik, head of the forest and land fire unit at the agency, told tempointeraktif.com on Friday that more hotspots had been detected in Muaraenim and Musibanyuasin regencies, with 27 hotspots each.

The province’s number of hotspots, which indicate forest or land fires, has been increasing. It recorded seven spots in January, eight in February, 52 in March, 82 in April and 126 spots in May.

Ahmad said more hotspots were expected during the peak of the dry season from June through to August.

He said the agency has prepared 2,500 cadets in 210 villages across the province to help anticipate fires in their areas. (dre)