Bintan, Riau Islands (ANTARA) - Fires have laid to waste around 60 hectares of peatland and bushland in Bintan district, Riau Islands province in the past week, an official said.
"Since a week ago, forest and land fires have occurred almost everyday," acting chief of the local fire department, Nurwendi, said on Friday.
Peatland and bush fires have been reported in the three sub-districts of Toapaya, Gunung Kijang, and Teluk Bintan, he informed.
They were allegedly caused by slash-and-burn practices, coupled with extreme weather and strong winds, he said.
He urged the police to investigate reports of continued slash-and-burn practices.
"Anybody involved in forest and land fires must be dealt with sternly because a fire can inflict a considerable amount of material losses," he remarked.
He said the fire department is keeping personnel and fire trucks ready round the clock as forest and land fires are still rife in the district.
A forest and land fire task force has also been formed with personnel from the fire department, the military, the police, the environment and forestry office, and the public.
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