Forest fire in Indonesia. (Source: Reuters)Indonesia has sent 25 aircraft to fight the roaring forest fires that have been raging for the last three weeks in Sumatra and Kalimantan territories.
The aircraft, including 21 water bombers and four planes creating artificial rains, have been dispatched to North Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan.
Meanwhile, over 20,000 personnel were mobilised to control the fire.
Dry weather, water shortages and bad infrastructure conditions have hampered operations. The forest was at a high risk of burning due to large dried-out areas after months of drought.
Haze has caused poor visibility in many regions and affected the transportation of local residents. At least 25,500 people have been affected by the smoke, most of whom are suffering from respiratory diseases, reported local clinics.
The fire has disastrous impacts on neighbouring countries Singapore and Malaysia annually. However, Indonesia has not presented effective solutions to preventing the forest fires, focusing only on efforts to fight against existing blazes.
Forest fires are set often times to clear land for the agricultural activities of local farmers.
Threatened forest and land fires are forecast until the end of November when the rainy season arrives.-VNA
