Luna, Apayao - Despite the escalating forest fire incidents across the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Apayao is fortunate to be the sole province with no forest fire incidents as of March 2024, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection – Cordillera (BFP CAR).
While CAR grapples with 113 recorded forest fires from January to March 18, 2024, Apayao has kept its forests unscathed. The BFP CAR's data reveals a concerning trend, with Benguet leading the cases of incidents at 58, followed by Mountain Province with 40 cases. Baguio City and Abra province reported eight and seven incidents, respectively.
Regional Chief of BFP-CAR's Intelligence and Investigation Branch FInsp. Bernardo Bravo disclosed that 3,353.5 hectares have succumbed to flames in the region. Combatting these blazes involved efforts such as backburning, aerial firefighting operations, hotspot suppression, and strong coordination with relevant agencies and Local Governments Units (LGUs).
Attributing most fires to 'slash-and-burn' methods, indiscriminate rubbish burning, and carelessly discarded cigarette butts, Bravo urged strict adherence to fire safety protocols to safeguard forests and properties. The agency's plea extends to LGUs and communities, urging them to bolster fire prevention campaigns even in remote areas.
Further, BFP-CAR's OIC-Regional Director Senior Supt. Robert Pacis emphasized this call to action during the recent launch of Fire Prevention Month, themed "Sa Pag-iwas sa Sunog, Di ka Nag-iisa," held at the Melvin Jones Grandstand in Baguio City.
