17 has. Baguio forests razed; 120 trees burned

By Carlito C. Dar and Gloria Diane Rivera

BAGUIO CITY -- Forest fires damaged at least 17.5 hectares of forest reservations in this city burning 120 trees first quarter of this year.

City Fire Marshall Chief Insp. Joe Ferdinand Bangyod bared this saying they are partnering with the city government and private environmental groups in the advocacy against prevention of forest fires with the onset of summer.

Bureau of Fire Protection – Cordillera information officer SFO 2 Josesito Dollete, also bared in a recent  press conference launching observance of Fire Prevention Month this March, that forest fires remain a concern in the region.

In 2012 alone, there were reportedly 47 forest fires incidents, higher than the 36 cases recorded in 2011.

According to Dollente, frequent cause of forest fires are burned garbage left unattended and lighted cigarette butts carelessly thrown.

He admitted that they lacked equipment to deal with forest fires so they are partnering with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for such effort.

He said if the grass or forest fire is near a roadside,  they can handle this easily.

For Cordillera, BFP reported 106 residential fire incidents in 2012 mostly due to kitchen management accidents.