THE FOREST fire along the Akiki trail in Kabayan, Benguet which started January 31 in a four hectare area have been declared under control by the regional Bureau of Fire Protection as of February 6.
This was reported by Senior Superintendent Maria Sofia Mendoza, regional director of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Cordillera during the blessing of the newest fire substation at Quirino Hill, Baguio City.
“As we were monitoring, we sent 57 fire fighters to help in putting out the forest fire and upon their arrival at the site, immediately conducted their operation starting at 3 a.m. of February 6 and at around 9 a.m., they reported that the fire was under control,” Mendoza said.
The Kabayan Fire Department initially requested support from Benguet Provincial Fire Department but due to the magnitude of the forest fire further requested support from the Regional Fire Department which provided personnel who were recently trained in the latest forest fire fighting techniques.
“A mopping up operation is currently being done, fire breaks are being constructed to ensure the none recurrence of the forest fire,” Mendoza stated.
A firebreak is a gap in vegetation or other combustible material that acts as a barrier to slow or stop the progress of a bushfire or wildfire.
A firebreak may occur naturally where there is a lack of vegetation or fuel, such as a river, lake or canyon. Firebreaks may also be man-made, and many of these also serve as roads, such as a logging road, four-wheel drive trail, secondary road, or a highway.
“Their recent four day training on forest fire management among others by retired American fire fighters who are all members of Fire Fighters for Christ is a sample of the continuous skills training we provide for our fire fighters. Their training was applied in the management of the forest fire in Kabayan,” Mendoza added.
Despite the limited firefighting facilities, Mendoza ensured the continuous enhancement of the skills of all the members of the BFP in the region.