Indonesia, Aug. 1 -- Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago said forest and land fires in South and Central Kalimantan can be contained through inter-agency cooperation and weather-modification operations.

"Looking at the hotspots in Central and South Kalimantan, I am optimistic these fires can be put out because support is fully available and all necessary resources can be deployed," he said Saturday.

The government has prepared response measures ranging from surveillance operations to weather modification, which can begin once atmospheric conditions are suitable for cloud seeding, he said.

Weather modification operations can be conducted in the afternoon if conditions permit. If opportunities arise ...