A large area of pine tree forest in Benguet province had been hit by fire that began on Feb. 11 and was put out on Feb. 18. PHOTO FROM BUREAU OF FIRE PROTECTION KIBUNGAN
BAGUIO CITY—Luzon’s highest peak, Mt. Pulag, has been closed temporarily to trekkers after a forest fire swept through villages in the town of Kabayan, Benguet province, damaging 643 hectares of grassland and pine forests, local officials said.
Mt. Pulag, nearly 3,000 meters above sea level, straddles parts of the provinces of Benguet, Ifugao and Nueva Vizcaya.
The closure was recommended by the Mt. Pulag Guides Association, according to Kabayan Mayor Faustino Aquisan.
Emerita Albas, Mt. Pulag National Park supervisor, said authorities had closed the Akiki Trail since Sunday at the height of the forest fire.
Col. Elmer Ragay, Benguet police director, said another fire razed a 150-ha forest area in Benguet’s Kibungan town from Feb. 11-18.