Jambi, Aug. 25 -- Indonesia's Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni pledged government support for weather modification operations in Jambi to boost rainfall and help prevent and contain wildfires, which have burned more than 916 hectares.

"Aircraft have been readied in Jambi for weather modification. Our ministry will fully support the operation to stimulate rainfall," Antoni said during a visit on Tuesday.

Antoni said Jambi still needs weather modification after ranking sixth nationally in hotspot counts Tuesday, behind Riau, South Sumatra and several provinces in Kalimantan.

"Jambi has deep, combustible peat layers that can trigger forest and land fires. This is why weather modification remains necessary," he said.

The ministry will s...