Forest fire hits Laguna mountain near Banahaw

LUCENA CITY-–A forest fire struck Mount Cristobal in Laguna, adjacent to mystical Mount Banahaw, late afternoon Tuesday and raged till dawn Wednesday.

Salud Pangan, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-park superintendent for Mount Banahaw-San Cristobal protected area, said the grass fire, which started at 4 p.m. on the mountainside fronting San Pablo City, lasted till dawn Wednesday.

She estimated that the fire could have burned some 100 hectares. A government agro-forestry and assisted natural regeneration project in the area was also razed but no casualty was reported.

Pangan said that based on initial information the blaze was again caused by reckless honey bee collectors. She said some natives are used to honey hunting of wild bee colonies in the forest using burning dry leaves to blow smoke to the hive to avoid stinging and swarming.

“The DENR team will still conduct further investigation to confirm the report,” she said over the phone.

As soon as the fire broke out, Pangan immediately ordered activation of the risk reduction management council of the mountain village of Sta. Lucia in Dolores, Quezon, which is near San Cristobal to prevent the blaze from reaching the residential area.

However, the wind direction changed course and drove the fire upward the mountain far from the village.

In 2010, two successive grass fires also razed down an estimated 70 to 80 hectares in San Cristobal. The blaze was also accidentally triggered by an unextinguished fire left behind by honey bee collectors.