Indonesia, Aug. 24 -- South Kalimantan's Environment Agency and the local Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) distributed 20,000 masks to residents in order to mitigate the health effects caused by forest and land fires.

GAPKI South Kalimantan is also ready to provide direct support for firefighting operations in affected areas, according to a statement received here Monday.

The commitment followed a field visit and guidance from Deputy Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Hanif Faisol at a monitoring post in Banjarbaru on August 18, GAPKI South Kalimantan Executive Secretary Hairuddin said.

Hairuddin said GAPKI member companies would deploy firefighting teams to assist with operations on the ground.

"Firefighting teams from GAP...