Inp.polri.go.id - Pekanbaru.  The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Pekanbaru detected 294 wildfire hotspots across Riau Province, with the highest concentration, precisely 175 hotspots, located in Rokan Hilir Regency.

“There are 14 high-confidence hotspots, 20 moderate, and 240 low-confidence,” said Santy S, a forecaster at BMKG Pekanbaru on Saturday (19/7/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

The hotspots are spread across nine regions including 69 in Rokan Hulu,13 in Pelalawan, 12 in Siak, 11 in Kampar, 8 in Dumai City, 4 in Bengkalis, and one each in Meranti Islands and Kuantan Singingi.

Across Sumatra, BMKG reported 440 hotspots, with 98 in North Sumatra, 28 in West Sumatra, and smaller numbers in other provinces.

As Riau enters peak dry season, the chance of rain is low. BMKG urges residents, especially those near peatlands or agricultural areas, to avoid open burning due to increased wildfire risks.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)