East Kalimantan struggles to put off some 300 coal fire spots

Out of the estimated 300 coal fire spots in East Kalimantan, some 24 fire spots have been successfully put off at a huge cost in a bid to prevent massive forest fire, head of the provincial office of the ministry of mineral resources and energy Istiardjo said on Thursday.

The local Kaltim Post daily quoted Istiardjo as saying that the office was now moving to tackle other fire spots located in Balikpapan.

"The huge number of coal fire spots in East Kalimantan is due to the geological structure of the area ? We'll continue to observe the 300 fire spots in the province," he said.

"The problem is complex, so we must have the right methodology and technology. Not all fire spots can be put off with a certain methodology," he added. (*)