Jakarta. Indonesia has reported a sharp decline in forest and land fire hotspots in Riau, falling to 116 per day from around 1,300 daily earlier this month, Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni said.

Speaking after a coordination meeting on wildfire control in Riau’s Balai Serindit on Wednesday, Antoni credited joint efforts by ground and air teams for the progress. “This reflects the hard work of personnel on the ground from the TNI, police, Manggala Agni Fire Brigade, BNPB, and air units conducting weather modification operations,” Raja said Thursday.

Authorities have been deploying weather modification flights, helicopters for water bombing, and ground teams to contain fires in Rokan Hulu and Rokan Hilir regencies, where over 229 hectares have burned.

Currently, two helicopters are available for weather modification and three for water bombing, with plans to increase to three and five helicopters respectively in the coming days. “We will also mobilize additional ground forces, particularly in Rohul and Rohil, to further reduce hotspots,” Raja added.

Raja urged residents to avoid land clearing by burning, warning of the severe health and economic impacts of large-scale fires. “Remember when Riau was choked with haze, flights were canceled, children couldn’t attend school, and many suffered from respiratory infections,” he said.

The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) reported that haze from the Riau fires has crossed into Malaysia, carried by southeasterly winds. Satellite imagery shows the smoke drifting northward from Rokan Hilir.

Forest and peatland fires are a recurring problem in Indonesia, straining ties with neighbors such as Malaysia and Singapore. Fires often break out during the dry season, with smoke frequently drifting over borders, prompting diplomatic tensions.

Indonesian authorities said they have arrested 44 individuals suspected of intentionally starting forest and peatland fires that have contributed to the haze. The government has pledged to continue strict law enforcement while increasing efforts to suppress fires, which are often linked to land-clearing practices by farmers and plantation companies.

In 2023, Indonesia denied responsibility for haze pollution affecting Malaysia, despite previous instances of transboundary smoke leading to diplomatic friction in the region.