20160406 Philippines Fire continues to rage in Bukidnon’s Mt. Kitanglad — PENRO
Philippines Apr 05 2016 “Forest”
Dead : dead 0 or unknown Burnout : 0 or unknown Injured : injured 0 or unknown
Fire continues to rage in Bukidnon’s Mt. Kitanglad — PENRO
Updated: 2016-04-06-08:31
The forest fire at the foot of Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park (MKRNP) in Bukidnon is spreading, particularly on Mt. Nakalu in Barangay Sil-ipon in Libona town, the Philippine Information Agency reported.
Initial field reports showed that 52 hectares of trees under the National Greening Program (NGP) in sitio Magantol were already burned, said Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer (PENRO) Maria Theresa Allen.
She said the fire was caused by the long dry spell brought by the El Niño phenomenon. However, residents may have also been negligent as they could have burned dry grass along riverbanks.
Allen said 10 hectares of natural forest in Sitio Anlawon, five hectares in barangay Capehan and five hectares in Barangay Sil-ipon in Libona town, were affected.
Another fire was spotted on Monday in the southern part of Mt. Kitanglad at Barangay Sungco, Lantapan town, and in the municipality of Sumilao.
Kitanglad Guard Volunteers and Tribal Guards, meanwhile, were able to stop the spread of the bush fire in Sitio Mangasa of Dalwangan village and Barangay Imbayao in Malaybalay City.
“If not controlled, it would damage huge number of hectares of natural forests. Firefighters had tried to block the fire in Mt. Nakalu, but failed because strong winds made firefighting efforts even more difficult,” she said.
The environment agency is coordinating with Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and Philippine Air Force (PAF) to stop the forest fire from spreading.
Web Source: GMA NEWS ONLINE
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/561641/news/regions/fire-continues-to-rage-in-bukidnon-s-mt-kitanglad-penro