Media Indonesia, 22 June 2018
Forest and land fires are predicted to reach its peak in July and August. Eight provinces, which are Central Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, Riau, North Sumatra, South Sumatra, and Jambi have declared emergency alert status on forest and land fires. Most of these provinces are keeping the alert status until October. Environment and Forestry Ministry Forest and Land Fire Control Director Raffles B. Panjaitan said in Jakarta yesterday (June 21) that July and August will be the hottest months this year, even hotter than in 2017. The number of hotspots in June 2018 is higher than June 2017, but overall, the total hotspots in 2018 is still lower than 2017, he said.