Yogyakarta, Oct. 30 -- The Indonesian Ministry of Environment is investigating at least 356 companies nationwide after fires broke out across their concession areas and adjacent forests.

"We are verifying all companies whose concession areas have burned. This involves a substantial number - at least 356 companies," Environment Minister Mohammad Jumhur Hidayat told reporters here on Thursday.

Hidayat said the scale and circumstances of the fires vary widely, necessitating a thorough verification process before penalties are determined.

"The patterns differ from case to case. We cannot rush to judgment. Some burned areas span two, five, or ten hectares, while others cover hundreds of hectares, including oil palm plantations and agricultu...