8 forest fires raze at least 60 hectares in CAR

Smoke and haze engulfed parts of Benguet and Baguio City as eight forest fires broke out across the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), CJ Torrida of GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon reported Thursday on 24 Oras. 

In the town of Tuba, a forest fire razed a portion of Mount Santo Tomas, with the massive blaze almost reaching vital installations with communications, TV and radio equipment. 

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) responded to the incident while the Philippine Air Force (PAF) deployed a Huey helicopter with a heli bucket to douse the blaze. 

’Yung apoy ay napigilan sa may perimeter fence ng mga regional network groups doon na towers. Sa ngayon iyong sa isang lugar 'yung ang hinihintay natin ngayon kung lalapit ang apoy o hindi,” SFO3 Orvil Dumacas, chief operations of Tuba- BFP, said.

(We were able to control the fire when it reached the perimeter fence of the towers of the regional network groups. We’re now anticipating whether the fire will spread.)

The fire reached the neighboring municipality of Bokod, with authorities responding to the blaze.

“Sa ngayon ang ongoing na forest fire sa Cordillera Administrative Region, meron tayong walo. Karamihan nito ay sa probinsya ng Benguet,” BFP Cordillera Regional Chief of Staff Crossib Cante said.

(There are currently 8 ongoing forest fires in CAR, most of these are in Benguet.)

“Ang estimated na lawak ng forest fire ngayon ay umaabot ng 60 hectares na,” he said.

( We estimate the area affected by the forest fire at around 60 hectares.)

Fire investigators are looking into the possible causes of the fires.

“Pwedeng pinagmulan ay kaingin, agricultural clearing, ang pangatlo ay bonfire. Pang-apat ay ang possibility ng negligence sa pagtatapon ng sigarilyo,” said Cante.

(It may be caused of kaingin (clearing land by slashing and burning) , agricultural clearing, bonfire or negligence such as throwing lighted cigarettes.)

“Mainit talaga sa tanghali tsaka wala tayong ulan, dry so prone talaga siya sa sunog,” Cante added.

(The weather is hot, especially in the afternoon, and it hasn’t been raining so it’s pretty dry, so the area is prone to forest fires.)

Meanwhile, the Baguio government advised residents to wear masks as the smoke from the forest fires blanketed the city.—Sundy Locus/RF, GMA Integrated News