Riau continues weather modification despite no active fires

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2 hours ago

Pekanbaru, Riau (ANTARA) – Riau’s disaster agency said it would continue weather modification operations despite no active forest and land fires in the province, aiming to keep peatlands wet and prevent future outbreaks.

Riau Disaster Management and Firefighting Agency (BPBD Damkar) Head M Edy Afrizal said the operations were aimed at keeping peatlands wet because they are particularly vulnerable to fires when dry.

“Weather modification operations are still continuing. This is an anticipatory measure to wet areas, especially peatlands, which are prone to fires when dry,” he said in Pekanbaru on Sunday.

He said the operations would continue until Riau entered the rainy season, with aircraft deployed whenever potentially rain-producing clouds were detected.

“If there are potential clouds, weather modification operations will be carried out immediately until Riau’s weather truly enters the rainy season,” he said.

BPBD Riau previously reported that all forest and land fires had been extinguished. Fires had earlier been reported in the districts of Indragiri Hilir, Indragiri Hulu, and Bengkalis.

“Forest and land fires in Riau are now at zero. Several areas that previously burned have been extinguished,” he said.

BPBD data showed 20,597.23 hectares burned across Riau in 2023. Bengkalis recorded the largest area at 8,569.25 hectares, from 4,305 hotspots and 73 fire points.

Pelalawan followed with 6,710.21 hectares, Indragiri Hulu 1,631.95, Indragiri Hilir 1,381.54, and Dumai 651.09. Other areas were Rokan Hilir 445.47, Siak 429.72, Meranti 307.91, Kampar 171.67, Kuantan Singingi 129.32, Pekanbaru 106.73, and Rokan Hulu 62.37 hectares.