20160330 Philippines Forest fires strike South Cotabato, Aklan
Philippines Mar 30 2016 “Forest”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 0 or unknown Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Forest fires strike South Cotabato, Aklan
Updated: 2016-03-30-18:17
Fire struck the peak of Mt. Matutum, an active volcano located in Tupi, South Cotabato, a report by GMA News reporter Susan Enriquez in Balitanghali said.
About a hectare of the volcano’s forest was destroyed as of 8 a.m. Wednesday.
Fire trucks could not enter the site while forest rangers lacked the necessary equipment to put out the flame, the report said.
Nearly a full day passed before the fire was extinguished.
The blaze was reportedly caused by discarded materials used to burn down bee hives.
Meanwhile, 20 hectares of a forest in Madalag, Aklan were also destroyed by a fire, the report added.
It took seven hours for firefighters to extinguish the fire.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that the number of forest and grass fires in the country is expected to rise due to the heat and dryness brought by El Nino.
Among the provinces that will be affected by El Nino are Quezon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Antique, Northern Samar, Western Samar, and North Cotabato.
“Because of the activity nung ating mga kababayan marami pong incidents of fire, historically based on our records. For example, in Nueva Ecija and in Zambales, very crucial po diyan ang hunting,” said Director Ricardo Calderon of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Forest Management Bureau.
In 2015, 176 forest and grass fires were recorded, the report said.
Last Saturday afternoon, fire destroyed 300 hectares of Mt. Apo, the Philippines’ highest mountain.
The fire has been contained by the Philippine Air Force and forest rangers, but it has not been extinguished as of posting time.
Web Source: GMA NEWS ONLINE
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/560898/news/regions/forest-fires-strike-south-cotabato-aklan