Indonesia, Aug. 8 -- Minister of Environment, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, has urged the local government of Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, to take swift action to prevent the further spread of forest and land fires in the city.

"Banjarbaru is in the first ring because it is located near the airport. Forest and land fires in this city have already covered 96 hectares-the largest (area out) of the 13 regencies/cities in South Kalimantan," Nurofiq said during a working visit to Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, on Thursday.

He emphasized that the widespread forest and land fires are a warning for stakeholders in the region to take swift mitigation steps.

"Moreover, Banjarbaru is the capital of South Kalimantan province, and people from outside the r...