"This is the 20th day since the haze disaster emergency response started in response to the fires burning in agricultural and forested areas in Riau," the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho was quoted as saying by Antara News Agency on Wednesday.

Earlier, based on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's instruction, BNPB had been put in charge of the countermeasures for the haze, that blanketed areas of Singapore as well as Malaysia.

"Our agency has managed to overcome the haze disaster with a joint strategic operation," Sutopo said.

He added that the fire extinguishing duties would be handed over to the 1,500 quick-reaction force personnel of the Riau Disaster Management Agency (BPBD).

"Right now, the force personnel are still patrolling as well as extinguishing fires in the hotspot areas," he said.

"They are also taking turns to check their health at the nearest hospitals," he added.

Sutopo said that the agency had put four helicopters on standby to water-bomb any hotspots on the Sumatra island.

"Furthermore, a CASA aircraft is still on standby for scattering salt to create artificial rain if necessary," he added.

According to Sutopo, these measures are needed because the fires are continuing and expected to remain a matter of urgency into August or even October.

"The Keys to mitigating the disaster are obeying regulations, enforcing the law and informing the people about countermeasures," he said. (fan)

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