Banjarbaru, Aug. 24 -- Indonesia's Ministry of Environment is investigating 11 companies in South Kalimantan over suspected involvement in land and forest fires, following satellite detection of thermal hotspots overlapping their concessions.

The targets were identified by overlaying satellite hotspot data with maps of agricultural concessions and mining permits, according to Inspector General Rizal Irawan, the ministry's head of environmental law enforcement.

"The initial indication emerged after satellite hotspot data was overlaid with maps of concession areas," Irawan said during a field inspection in Banjarbaru alongside Environment Minister Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat on Monday.

However, officials cautioned that satellite data alone i...