Indonesian forest fires burn area exceeds Shikoku, Kalimantan, Sumatra, monitoring sites estimated

[Jakarta Current Affairs] It has been revealed that the area that was destroyed by continuous fires in Indonesia's forests from January to September this year is estimated to be approximately 1.92 million hectares, which is more than the size of Shikoku. The fire has not been contained even into October, and the damage appears to be further expanding.

Long-lasting forest fires, worsening impact as El Nino phenomenon accelerates in Indonesia

The estimates were compiled by Nusantara Atlas, an independent site that monitors deforestation. According to AFP, founder David Gabeau said smoke from the fire made it difficult to analyze satellite images and it was likely that a much larger area had actually been destroyed.

A Forestry Ministry spokesperson told AFP that he could not confirm the Nusantara Atlas estimates. The ministry has not released new figures since revealing that more than 202,000 hectares were destroyed between January and July.

In Indonesia, forest fires occur every year during the dry season due to open burning. "99% of the fires are human-caused," Forestry Minister Raja said while inspecting firefighting operations in Central Kalimantan province on the 17th.