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In pictures: Indonesia fires

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A villager stands on an oil well as fire burns a palm-oil plantation in haze-hit Bangko Pusako district in Rokan Hilir, Indonesia's Riau province, June 22
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Forest fires in Indonesia's Sumatra island have shrouded parts of Malaysia, Singapore and the island itself in a choking haze.

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Palm-oil firms are accused of using slash-and-burn agricultural techniques to clear space for plantations.

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Much of the media's attention has been focused on Singapore, where pollution indexes recorded their worst-ever readings this week, but villagers in Indonesia's Riau province are among the worst hit.

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Residents of Riau's provincial capital Pekanbaru are closely watching pollution indicators.

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Indonesia has mobilised planes and helicopters to battle the fires, and is attempting to induce rain through cloud seeding.

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Singapore's authorities say they are considering legal action against two Singapore-based firms allegedly linked to some of the fires.

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However, the fires and the haze are annual events, and the authorities in Indonesia have shown little inclination to discipline the companies involved.