Indonesia battles haze as wildfires rage across South Sumatra forests
Indonesia deploys prayers and emergency measures to combat South Sumatra’s raging wildfires and hazardous haze. A firefighter attempts to extinguish a wildfire burning through a peatland field in Sampit, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia [Andri Rizky Agustian/AP Photo] Authorities in South Sumatra, Indonesia, have turned to spiritual measures as wildfires rage across forests and peatlands, shrouding parts of the country in hazardous haze.
Why It Matters
This story touches on indonesia, haze, wildfires — topics readers are actively tracking. Review and add editorial context before publishing.
Key Facts
- Fact 1: About 3,000 residents gathered on Tuesday in Palembang, the provincial capital, to perform salat istisqa, a special Islamic prayer for rain, in the courtyard of the governor’s office.
- Fact 2: South Sumatra currently has the highest number of wildfire hotspots in Indonesia, with 1,429 detected by Environment Ministry satellites, followed by West Kalimantan with 1,226 and Central Kalimantan with 811.
- Fact 3: Nearly 940 square kilometres (360 square miles) of land burned in July alone, officials say, including more than 20sq km (8sq miles) in South Sumatra.
- Fact 4: Authorities have deployed dozens of aircraft for cloud seeding and water bombing and arrested 72 people over allegations of using fire to clear land, while four companies are under investigation.
Indonesia deploys prayers and emergency measures to combat South Sumatra’s raging wildfires and hazardous haze. A firefighter attempts to extinguish a wildfire burning through a peatland field in Sampit, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia [Andri Rizky Agustian/AP Photo] Authorities in South Sumatra, Indonesia, have turned to spiritual measures as wildfires rage across forests and peatlands, shrouding parts of the country in hazardous haze.
About 3,000 residents gathered on Tuesday in Palembang, the provincial capital, to perform salat istisqa, a special Islamic prayer for rain, in the courtyard of the governor’s office. Worshippers stood shoulder to shoulder as thick smoke reduced visibility and forced motorists to drive with headlights on during the day. South Sumatra currently has the highest number of wildfire hotspots in Indonesia, with 1,429 detected by Environment Ministry satellites, followed by West Kalimantan with 1,226 and Central Kalimantan with 811.
(Original synthesis pending human/AI review — generated by the stub provider by selecting real sentences from the source material, not by writing new analysis or commentary.)
Original source: Al Jazeera
Related Stories
Lawmakers across the aisle pay tribute to Dolly Parton: ‘A true national treasure’
Watch live: DDHQ and The Hill track and analyze SC Senate GOP special election runoff
Army sergeant’s wife deported to Honduras under Trump crackdown
