Japan's Marubeni, Sumitomo Forestry help combat Indonesian forest fires

Japanese trading house Marubeni and Sumitomo Forestry are helping to fight forest fires in Indonesia, a problem that has spread thick smoke across Southeast Asia in recent years. The two companies are working with local partners to reduce fires, which are often started to clear land for farming and palm oil plantations. Their efforts include teaching farmers better ways to clear land without burning, and helping communities detect and put out fires early. Forest fires in Indonesia have damaged millions of hectares of land and caused health problems and travel delays in neighboring countries.