BFP logs 74 forest fires in the Cordilleras

March 6, 2024 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Seventy-four forest fires have been recorded in the Cordillera Administrative Region since January, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection.

The BFP said 13 were recorded in Benguet alone since Feb. 19.

Three of the forest fires are ongoing, but have been placed under control. These are in Sitios Lusod and Binungaan in Barangay Tinongdan in Itogon and Mt. Sto. Tomas in Tuba.

“In the sweltering heat this summer season, forest fires, particularly the ongoing incidents in Benguet, have been keeping our firefighters on their toes due to the challenging terrain and difficulties in the transportation of extinguishing capabilities,” the BFP said.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos said the traditional practice of kaingin or burning of trees to be used as fertilizer and unattended campfires are the usual cause of forest fires.

Abalos said bush fires are the hardest to control as these usually need air assets to be put out.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government said 123 local government units across the country still do not have fire stations.

At least 3,287 fires have been recorded nationwide from Jan. 1 to March 4, a 25 percent increase from the 2,623 recorded during the same period last year.

Seventy people have died due to fires since January compared to 46 recorded from January to March last year.

The BFP said lighted cigarette butts were the primary cause of fires followed by open flames from cooking and electrical ignition caused by arcing.