JAKARTA, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Over 107,000 hectares of land and forest have been affected by fires across Indonesia as of early August, the Indonesian government said on Monday.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago said at a press conference that the government has deployed both air and ground operations to combat the fires. Air operations currently involve around 43 helicopters and 10 to 15 fixed-wing aircraft based on operational needs.
The blazes have been exacerbated by a prolonged drought driven by a strong El Nino weather pattern, Djamari said. ■
