Wildfires still raging in 3 areas in Benguet, reports OCD

BATTLING THE BLAZE A helicopter of the Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group (PAF TOG) 1, stationed in Baguio city, airlifts a water bucket to help douse a forest fire in Itogon, Benguet on January 27, 2024. (Photo from PAF TOG)

MANILA, Philippines — Firefighting operations are still ongoing to put out blazes in several areas in Benguet.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) gave the report on Thursday.

“The OCD is currently monitoring the wildfires in Benguet. As of yesterday, most of the forest fires in Benguet are either fire out or under control,” Civil Defense Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said.

“However, firefighting operations are still ongoing in three (3) areas in the province,” he noted.

“We are looking for interventions that will support the ongoing response activities and, of course, for those measures that will offer long-term solutions to address the challenges and pressing concerns,” Nepomuceno added.

According to the OCD, there were 13 areas in Benguet affected by wildfires.

‘Fire out’ were declared in five of these places.

Five other sites were in ‘under control’ status.

The Philippine Air Force has conducted helicopter bucket operations to extinguish the blazes.

“While the causes of these wildfires are still under investigation, we still want to call on everyone to observe precautionary measures and avoid activities that may trigger such incidents,” Nepomoceno said.

The OCD added the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other local government units are determining the damage from the events.

No casualties have been reported as of this writing.