Indonesian police arrest 72 people suspected of starting forest fires
Summary
Indonesian police have arrested 72 people suspected of starting forest and peatland fires in central and west Indonesia. These fires created heavy smoke that affected Indonesia and neighboring Malaysia, and authorities are investigating to find others who may be responsible.Key Facts
- 72 people were arrested in Indonesia for allegedly starting forest and peatland fires.
- The fires are linked to an intense dry season and El Niño weather patterns.
- Smoke from the fires has spread to Malaysia, causing air quality problems.
- Most suspects face charges related to deliberately burning land to clear it for plantations at lower costs.
- Investigators are looking into whether companies funded or ordered these fires.
- Fires are burning on the island of Borneo (shared by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei) and on Sumatra island.
- There were over 3,700 hotspots detected on Borneo and more than 1,700 on South Sumatra during the fire outbreaks.
- Indonesian authorities are using helicopters for water bombing and cloud-seeding to control the fires.
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