Manado, N Sulawesi, July 3 -- The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) on Wednesday advised residents in several areas of North Sulawesi to remain vigilant for potential wildfires as the province enters its dry season.

Head of Observation and Information, North Sulawesi Climatology Station, M. Candra Buana, noted that hotter and drier conditions during the dry season could raise the risk of land and forest fires.

To this end, Buana urged local farmers to refrain from using slash-and-burn methods while clearing land for agriculture and advised mountaineers not to discard cigarette butts, as such carelessness could spark bushfires.

"Hence, please let us (all work together to) prevent wildfires during the dry season," he...