Indonesia faces greater wildfire and haze risk as an abnormal dry spell is forecast to persist through the end of September, with rainfall in parts of Sumatra and Borneo expected at about one-fifth of normal, the meteorological agency said. Forestry ministry fire-monitoring platform SiPongi reports more than 5,000 satellite-detected hotspots nationwide—well above typical levels for this time of year; hotspots are locations of elevated surface temperature that may indicate fires. The meteorologic

Indonesia faces greater wildfire and haze risk as an abnormal dry spell is forecast to persist through the end of September, with rainfall in parts of Sumatra and Borneo expected at about one-fifth of normal, the meteorological agency said. Forestry ministry fire-monitoring platform SiPongi reports more than 5,000 satellite-detected hotspots nationwide—well above typical levels for this time of year; hotspots are locations of elevated surface temperature that may indicate fires. The meteorological bulletin says hotspot counts are concentrated in central and southern Sumatra palm-oil growing areas and across much of Borneo, and that dry atmospheric conditions are aiding fire spread.