MP forest fires rampant with coming of summer

By Gina Dizon   

SAGADA, Mountain Province – Burning of forests and pasturelands is rampant in the province with the coming of the dry season with 24 forest fires noted in the towns of  Tadian, Bauko, Sabangan, Bontoc, Sagada  and Besao.

The Mountain Province- Community Environment and Natural  Resources  Office of the Department of  Environment and Natural bared this saying  nine forest fires  in pasture lands were among identified 11 forest fires  January to  February. 

The Bureau of Fire Protection also said there were 13 forest fires in other locations  same period in the province. 

Mountain fires  were  reported in  pasture lands of Supang, Bunayan, Pakya,  Kaaligan, Tambingan, and Lagan in  Sabangan; Ambagiw, Besao;  Poblacion, Bunga, Nadangad, Balaoa, Batayan and Mabalite in Tadian; Bontoc Ili and Teng-ab, Bontoc;  Bila, Poblacion and Abatan, Bauko;   Other forest fires were noted in Nangonogan and AnkilengSagada and in a reforestation area in  Malupa, Abatan, Bauko.       

Forest burning is not totally bad  for it brings new growth of good grass for cattle.

That is, if the pasture land is burned at least four to five years from last burning according to provincial Environment officer Manuel Pogeyed.

Pogeyed said yearly burning of forests kills the roots of grass and other plants.

A four to five year lapse before burning ensures sustained  growth of grass and  ushers new growth of good grass while killing plant and animal pests.     

Burning pasture lands is a method among cattle owners to bring another year of new grass for their carabaos and cows. But this practice done almost every year kills biodiversity, Pogeyed,said. Worse, the practice is done irresponsibly.    

Pogeyed said in burning forests  for cattle forage, arezs to be burned should be identified and firebreakers  installed to prevent the fire from spreading.

He recommended that fire should be started at the top to prevent spreading of fire rapidly in other unintended areas and the burning to be responsibly monitored.

While this is so, Pogeyed said mossy forests should not be burned as burning kills the watershed.    

Pogeyed said forest fires in the province are man-made with causes traced to irresponsible throwing of  live cigarette butts, cleaning of forests and unattended burning, and bonfires. While some forest fires were not traced  of the identities of who the culprits are, some were identified  and the act noted to be   intentional.   

The PENRO officer enjoined  barangay  officials to investigate  the origin of  the fire and  pass ordinances on  forest fire  prevention. He also forwarded that trainings on forest fire prevention are being conducted by DENR.