In a concerning environmental event, over 1,000 hectares across Benguet have been devastated by forest fires, impacting several mountainous towns. A report from John Consulta’s 24 Oras Weekend detailed the Bureau of Fire Protection’s (BFP) response to seven significant forest fires within the province. The efforts to combat the fires have been challenging, with one instance in Tuba town requiring a four-hour journey for rescuers to reach the site, where four individuals were fortunately rescued.
The towns of Itogon, Kabayan, and Bokod have also fallen victim to these wildfires, raising alarms about the spread and control of such disasters. BFP Tuba Fire Marshall, Fire Senior Inspector Meson Asing Jr., noted that while the fires near Kabayan, particularly around communication towers, have been controlled, the situation remains critical with ongoing efforts to fully extinguish the fires.
The occurrence of these fires is part of a larger pattern observed within the region, with BFP-CAR reporting more than 60 forest fires since the beginning of the year. This situation underscores a national concern, as data from the BFP shows a total of 2,518 fires across the Philippines from January 1 to February 23, including 200 in Metro Manila alone.
This series of forest fires in Benguet highlights the urgent need for enhanced firefighting capabilities and preventative measures to protect these vital ecosystems and communities from further harm.