Indonesia’s vast forest fires spawn ecological disaster

With 21 deaths and more than a half-million people’s health affected by nearly 50,000 fires, and with an estimated 50,000 orangutans at risk, the cost of the fires has been estimated at US$9 billion. Greed is the cause. Herry Purnomo, a scientist at Center for International Forestry Research, said it costs just US$7 to clear a hectare of land by burning, compared with US$150 to do so with tractors. Indonesian law bans clearing land by burning, except by small-scale farmers, who are allowed up to two hectares.