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Raphael Bosano

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">LOOK: A view of the forest fire in Tuba, Benguet, taken on Wednesday evening from Purok Ongasan, Loakan Proper. As of 10am, Feb 22, fire suppression measures were still ongoing. (📷PIO Baguio) <a href="https://t.co/8MxXcq20sQ">pic.twitter.com/8MxXcq20sQ</a>— Raphael Bosano (@raphbosano) <a href="https://twitter.com/raphbosano/status/1760593069513273759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script> BAGUIO CITY — At least eight forest fires are still ongoing in different parts of the mountainous areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Regional Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said Thursday.   Among those that are being monitored and suppressed by fire personnel is the forest fire in Mount Santo Tomas in Tuba, Benguet, said Fire Inspector Bernard Bravo, chief of the intelligence and investigation branch of the BFP-CAR.   Bravo said firefighting personnel are experiencing difficulties extinguishing the multiple forest fires because of the areas’ terrain.   “It’s inaccessbile for our firetrucks. Kaya po hindi nakakarating yung mga firetruck towards the area of fire. Yan din ang dahilan kung bakit hindi kami nakakagamit ng tubig from the firetrucks,” he said.   (That’s the reason why our firetrucks aren’t able to enter the fire site and why we aren’t able to use water from the trucks.)   As a result, firefighters have to walk towards the affected area and manually extinguish the fire.<ul class="op-related-articles"><li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/22/forest-fire-sumiklab-sa-kabundukan-ng-benguet-2001">Forest fire sumiklab sa kabundukan ng Benguet</a></li></ul> Rapid spread    Videos taken by Bayan Patrollers on Wednesday and Thursday show just how some of the fire rapidly spread due to a myriad of factors, including windy and dry conditions.   In some areas, the fire got extremely close to residential areas as well as vital installations like TV relay stations.   Since January, the BFP-CAR has logged over 60 incidents of forest fires throughout the region. These include six each in Abra and Baguio City; 32 in Benguet and 22 in the Mountain Province.   Bravo said they expect more incidents to occur in the coming days and weeks.<ul class="op-related-articles"><li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/2/21/wildfire-hits-mt-sto-tomas-in-benguet-1643">Wildfire hits Mt. Sto. Tomas in Benguet</a></li></ul> “We are anticipating the ill effect of El Niño. Ramdam na po talaga yung mainit na panahon tapos yung mga grasses natin natutuyo sila at yung mga leaves ng trees natutuyo sila so susceptible sila sa konting ignition pwedeng sumiklab,” he said.   (We really feel the hot weather and the grass and leaves of trees are dry so they are really susceptible to slight ignitions and eventually catch fire.)   Bravo also noted that during the pandemic, forest fires occurred much less compared to the period before and post pandemic.   He added the fires were most likely triggered by clearing operations as well as other human-induced activities like burning and throwing of unextinguished cigarette butts.   No casualties   Despite the multiple fire incidents, the BFP said there has been no injuries and fatalities. While preemptive evacuation has not been enforced, they reminded residents to be on their toes and evacuate immediately should the raging fire grow bigger.   But even if no lives were severely affected, Bravo said the forest fire immensely affects the regions resources.   “‘Yung mga resources natin sa bundok, yung mga puno natin talagang very affected to include also yung mga tanim ng mga farmers natin which is being affected by these forest fires. Yung pagkakasunog ng mga bundok natin, we lose a lot in terms of mga resources natin na puno.”   (Our resources in the mountains are greatly affected, including farmers’ produce. The burning of forests in the mountains results in the loss of our trees.)   Air quality affected   The fire has also caused smog to blanket Baguio City ahead of the much anticipated Panagbenga Festival over the weekend.   Based on data from IQ Air on Thursday evening, air quality in Baguio City is moderate with PM2.5 concentration currently 3.2 times the the WHO annual quality guideline value.  <blockquote class="twitter-tweet">LOOK: Following multiple forest fires in the Cordillera, air quality in Baguio City is moderate with PM2.5 concentration currently 3.2 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value. <a href="https://t.co/0x4meUtglk">pic.twitter.com/0x4meUtglk</a>— Raphael Bosano (@raphbosano) <a href="https://twitter.com/raphbosano/status/1760674729500004600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2024</a></blockquote><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script> The local government of Baguio City reminded residents to protect themselves by wearing N95 face masks or simply remaining at home as much as possible.   Eyes should also be protected from irritation through exposure from ash and smoke.   Most importantly, residents especially those living near forest fires, should continuously hydrate as temperatures in these areas may become sweltering.   RELATED VIDEO:<div><ivs-player data-ivs-key="e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603" data-ivs-spid="3001339" data-ivs-vid="2967998"></ivs-player></div><script src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/js/loader.js"></script>

At least eight forest fires are still ongoing in different parts of the mountainous areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Regional Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said Thursday.

At least eight forest fires are still ongoing in different parts of the mountainous areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the Regional Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) said Thursday.

More Cordillera forest fires to break out in coming days: BFP

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More Cordillera forest fires to break out in coming days: BFP

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 22, 2024 11:19 PM PHT

Read More:

Forest fire

Cordillera Administrative Region

Benguet

Baguio City

Cordillera

Bureau of Fire Protection

Air Quality

El Niño

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