Jakarta, Aug. 24 -- President Prabowo Subianto has ordered authorities to drill water wells at forest and land fire hotspots in Riau Province to prevent them from developing into active fires and triggering wider blazes.

"Don't wait until they become fire spots. Please go to those hotspots and take early action. Can water wells be drilled in those areas?" Prabowo said on Monday during a meeting on forest and land fire mitigation in Pekanbaru City, Riau Province.

According to Prabowo, the 306 hotspots detected in Riau should be immediately addressed by drilling water wells.

"I think we should immediately drill water wells at all 300 points. As soon as there is a hotspot, drill a water well there. Don't wait until it becomes a fire," he ...