JAKARTA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's Riau Province has declared a forest and land fire emergency alert status ahead of the dry season to strengthen preparedness and response efforts.
Jim Gafur, head of emergency and logistics at Riau's Regional Disaster Management and Fire Agency, said on Monday that the measure was expected to improve coordination among central, provincial and local authorities in tackling fires.
"Once the status is declared, coordination and aid delivery become easier, allowing forest and land fires to be handled more quickly," Jim said.
Meanwhile, Indonesia's forest and land fire brigade, Manggala Agni, continues efforts to contain fires at several locations across the province amid strong winds, dry vegetation and fire-prone peatlands. ■