FORESTS fires continue to raze different parts of Benguet Province.
About 70-80 hectares were initially damaged following a fire in Mamuyod, Ambassador, Tublay, Benguet according to Tublay Mayor Armando Lauro.
The mayor said joint efforts of Tublay, La Trinidad and Baguio City Fire Stations and local police, and volunteers suppressed the fire in the town which started Wednesday, February 19.
In Kabayan town, Mt. Pulag National Park urged trekkers to desist from entering the southern part of Akiki trail for safety purposes after a forest fire occurred February 23 at Sitio Abucot in Barangay Eddet.
The park management in an advisory decided to close the Akiki Trail of Mt. Pulag for public safety after ten hectares were damaged by fire.
To recall, 150 hectares estimated damages were recorded including one abandoned house following forest fire in Kabayan, Benguet.
The fire started last Tuesday at Barangay Adaoay in Kabayan with the fire also reach barangay Anchokey which was controlled February 17.
On February 20 in Itogon, local police and fire personnel together with concerned citizens suppressed fire in Ampucao.
Benguet Provincial Fire Office in 2019 said there are 168 forest and grass fire in the province with an average of 21 fires a month.
Based on investigation, lighted cigarettes remain as the top cause of forest fire followed by children playing with matches and lighters, kaingin, and bonfires during picnics. (Lauren Alimondo)