Fire hits court-protected Sto. Tomas watershed near Baguio

BAGUIO CITY — A forest fire on Sunday engulfed sections of the Mt. Sto. Tomas watershed, which is covered by a permanent environmental protection order issued by the Court of Appeals.

The fire began at noon and could be seen glowing bright at 9 p.m. It affected a region filled with burial caves at Poblacion village in Benguet’s Tuba town, according to village chief Oliver Paus.

The watershed drew controversy due to an illegal road excavation that polluted a Baguio water source, and an unprecedented influx of tourists who wanted to see the community which became the fictitious “La Presa” of a popular soap opera.