Jakarta, Aug. 31 -- Indonesia is intensifying efforts to tackle forest and land fires in Sumatra and Kalimantan to prevent smoke from spreading across borders, the Environment Ministry said on Monday.

Deputy for Environmental Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Environment/Environmental Control Agency Rizal Irawan said firefighting operations were being carried out on a large scale through ground and aerial operations.

"Some communities in Kalimantan and Sumatra are currently facing forest and land fires, along with declining air quality. Aerial operations involve dozens of helicopters and aircraft deployed for water bombing and weather modification," Rizal said.

He said thousands of personnel from various agencies were also on standby ...