October 29, 2009 20:15 PM

Indonesia Launches Australia-Assisted Forest Fire Detector System

JAKARTA, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Indonesia and Australia launched here Thursday a forest fire detecting system that alarms authorities over the fire, that occur in the forests in both countries on real time basis, Antara news agency reported.

The system called Indofire- Indowatch, is greatly assisted by satellites.

"The using of satellite in the system provides real-time information basis. It would make our officials on the field move quickly to take steps in extinguishing the fire," Nur Hidayat, an official who oversees remote area detection section at the forestry ministry said on the sidelines of the launching session.

Australian Embassy representative who attended the launching, Sonya Neufeld, said that the 1.5 million Australian dollars forest fire detection programme was part of Australia's 40 million Australian dollars assistance program for Indonesia in dealing with carbon and forest issues.

Sonya said that the forest fire detection system project development was commenced in July last year.

Australia provided the software system, meanwhile Indonesia provided technical tools, website and internet network, she added.

According to her, for the initial implementation, the system would be implemented in Riau and Central Kalimantan provinces.

"If the system is successful in both provinces, it would be implemented in other regions," Sonya said.

Indonesia's Central Kalimantan and Riau are the provinces with the most frequent forest fire cases.

-- BERNAMA

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