Almost 900 hectares of Benguet forest land razed

February 28, 2020

LA TRINIDAD --  Blaming both natural and man-made causes,  the environment department in Benguet said forest fires in the province has damaged almost 900 hectares of forest lands.

This February,  at least 12 significant forest fires have occurred in eight of the 13 towns in Benguet, said Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Edgardo Flor.

Damages have been estimated to reach P2.077 million.

Kabayan town, where Mt. Pulag, the second highest peak in Luzon and “mecca” of mountain climbers,  was hardest hit with 643.69 hectares of burnt forest which included the 191.54 hectares of National Greening Program areas and even affected identified protected forest areas within the upper Agno River Basin.

Flor said lack of rain in past several months and the wind from the northeast monsoon fanned the forest fires. Other causes were cattle rustling and slash and burn or “kaingin” practice.

Dousing fires were difficult, Flor said, because of mountainous terrain, steep slope and lack of access road. DMS