More than 50 residents have been treated for respiratory problems in the past few days. The fire-induced smog emergency is not the first for West Kaimantan. Slash and burn land clearing. Every year, farmers and plantation owners set their fields on fire, cheap way to clear their lands. The government said it would revoke the licenses of companies found guilty of deliberately starting fires, but not much has been done.
Officials say most of the hotspots in satellite images appear on land owned by plantation companies.
Rains on Thursday helped clear Indonesia's skies, but the winds blew the smoke to neighboring countries Singapore and Malaysia. Officials warn if action is not taken to stop the burning, the choking haze of 1997s could return. Recipients should seek permission to reprint the article from the source listed above. Reading on line, downloading or other use of this information signifies acceptance of these conditions, and the Full Disclaimer.