Baguio City health alert up as forest fires rage

TOO HOT TO HANDLE | Baguio City firemen wear face masks and proper gear as they try to put out a fire that hit a mountain near the Philippine Military Academy on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024. (Photo from the Baguio City Fire Station)

BAGUIO CITY, Benguet, Philippines — Local officials have warned residents and tourists here against exposure to smog and ash caused by forest fires affecting several areas in the city and neighboring town of Tuba in Benguet province.

In an advisory on Thursday, the city disaster risk reduction management council asked the public to wear multilayered face masks and stay indoors when necessary to avoid respiratory ailments associated with smoke and ash from the forest fires.

According to the city health services office, forest fire smoke and ash could cause coughing or wheezing, resulting in breathing problems.

‘Aerial suppression’

“This smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases,” it warned.

Several incidents of forest fire struck portions of Mt. Sto. Tomas Forest Reserve in Tuba and a mountain near the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) here since Tuesday and persisted until Thursday afternoon.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong and Tuba Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan had already sought the help of the Philippine Air Force for aerial “suppression strategies” to douse the fires.

Records from the Bureau of Fire Protection in the Cordillera showed that at least six incidents of forest fire were recorded in Baguio and Benguet on Thursday alone, destroying more than 260 hectares.

The largest was in Benguet’s Bokod town, which affected about 200 ha of land.

A section of Mt. Pulag, Luzon’s highest peak in Benguet’s Kabayan town, was also struck by a forest fire early this month.

The Akiki Trail going to its summit was again closed to trekkers after the blaze razed the lower slopes of Kabayan’s Barangay Eddet.

“All trekkers via Akiki Trail from the western ingress are advised to postpone or cancel trekking to avoid the smog and untoward events,” the Mt. Pulag park management said in an advisory on Thursday.

The Babadak Trail, however, remained open to trekkers despite the poor visibility along the route.