Wildfires in Indonesia’s Bangka Belitung province destroyed 305 houses and forced around 500 people to evacuate, local disaster officials said Monday.
The fire started Saturday in Serdang village in South Bangka and spread to nearby residential areas due to strong winds. About 1,800 people were affected, but no casualties were reported.
Firefighters faced difficulties containing the blaze because of strong winds, dry peatland, limited water supplies and wooden houses in the area. The fire burned about 8.3 hectares of land.
Authorities have set up evacuation tents and a public kitchen and distributed food, water and clothing to affected residents.
Indonesia has been experiencing its most intense wildfire activity in 11 years, with fires burning across parts of Sumatra and Borneo.
Photo: Reuters
