By KIMBERLIE QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — Fires have ravaged approximately 200 hectares of forested lands in the region during the first weeks of 2024, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection Cordillera Administrative Region (BFP-CAR).

From January 1 to February 6, the agency recorded 33 forest fires, a persistent threat to the region’s forests. The largest affected area is in Itogon, Benguet, with 134 hectares burned. Mountain fires were also reported in the towns of Bokod and Atok, also in Benguet.

Global Forest Watch, an online platform offering data and tools for forest monitoring, recorded 63 alerts using Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) from Jan. 1 to Feb. 5. Peak season for forest fires in the Philippines typically begins in early February. The website, which provides “access to near real-time information about where and how forests are changing around the world,” gathered 627 VIIRS fire alerts from Feb. 6, 2023, to Feb 5, 2024. 

The Itogon Fire Station reported that a forest fire began at the Philex Mining Corporation area in Barangay Ampucao in Itogon on Jan. 18. Uncontrolled burning after a cleanup in the forested area allegedly caused the fire. Another forest fire started on Jan. 28 in Barangay Dalupirip.

All recorded fires in the municipality were declared under control on Feb. 2. But for the safety of the public, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has temporarily suspended tourism activities in the mountains of Itogon.

The public information office of Atok town reported that a fire that started in Barangay Topdak on Feb. 4 spread rapidly across Halsema Highway to Barangay Caliking due to strong winds.

On Feb. 7, a fire started at Sitio Cabuyao, Barangay Sto. Tomas of Tuba, Benguet. Residents of Sitio Cabuyao, Barangay Sto. Tomas of Tuba town alerted the Tuba fire station when the fire started. Authorities are still determining the cause of the fire.

During the Feb. 6 provincial peace and order council meeting, BFP Mountain Province reported that they had responded to 13 forest and grass fires in the province since January, with two of these occurring in the first week of February.

According to the Bontoc town’s operations center, 40 hectares of Mt. Pokis in this capital town were burned. The forest fire broke out on Feb. 3 and was declared extinguished on Feb. 7.

The Sabangan fire station also reported suppressing a forest fire in Sitio Baguitan, Barangay Data, in Sabangan town, also in Mountain Province, on Feb. 6, and an earlier forest fire in Sitio Madepdeppas in the same barangay on Feb. 2. # nordis.net