Inp.polri.go.id - Pekanbaru. The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in Pekanbaru, Riau has reported on Sunday (24/3/2024) a significant surge in the number of hotspots detected across Riau Province, reaching a total of 124 spots. This latest data highlighted Meranti Islands District as the epicenter, with 58 hotspots identified. According to Sanya G, a meteorologist at BMKG Pekanbaru, Dumai City has also observed a substantial number of hotspots, totaling 36 spots. Of the 99 hotspots detected, 14 are classified as low confidence, 101 as moderate, and 9 as high confidence. These hotspots are distributed across eight districts/cities in Riau. The number of hotspots has seen a surge from the 79 spots detected on Sunday morning. Currently, Dumai City is shrouded in dense haze due to ongoing land fires. Daily disaster reports indicate fires have affected an area of ​​37 hectares. Meranti Islands have also been impacted by forest and land fires, spanning an area of ​​over 40 hectares on Rangsang Island at five points. Muhlisin, the Head of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) for Meranti Islands Regency, said that the initial estimates suggest the fires have ravaged an area of 40 hectares across two points alone. (mg/inp/pr/nm)