Indonesia, Aug. 28 -- South Kalimantan police are testing a starch-based liquid to improve efforts to extinguish forest and peatland fires, particularly around Banjarbaru's airport, to prevent smoke from disrupting flights.

"With the support and direction of the national police chief, we tested this flour-based formula mixed with water, and results showed it effectively slowed the spread of fire," South Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Rosyanto Yudha Hermawan said here Friday.

The police chief said the flour-based liquid was supplied directly by the National Police headquarters.

The peatland firefighting formula uses cassava starch mixed with ammonium polyphosphate, water and a wetting agent to slow the spread of fire.

Water ...