TEMPO.CO, Pekanbaru - Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) of Pekanbaru station detected a surge of hot spots as an indication of forest and land fires in Riau Province on Saturday, Feb. 10.

"Up until this morning, 14 hot spots were detected from three regencies in Riau," the information and data unit head of Pekanbaru BMKG Slamet Riyadi said in Pekanbaru.

He explained that the 14 hot spots have doubled compared to Friday. Previously, on Friday, Pekanbaru BMKG only detected seven hot spots in Riau.

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He specified that the hot spots detected by satellites Terra and Aqua consists of nine spots in Pelalawan, three spots in Indragiri Hilirand two spots in Bengkalis.

"Meanwhile, out of 14 hot spots, 11 of which are confirmed as fire spots or strong indications of forest and land fires (Karhutla) with reliability higher than 70 percent," Slamet explained.

Riau Police stated that they keep monitoring forest and land fires. Riau Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Aryo Tejo stated that the fires were intentionally made. He further warned that land arsonist can be charged by 10 years of imprisonment and Rp10 billion fine.

ANTARA