Paje urges for vigilance against forest fires

Forest fire lights up the peak of Mt. Banahaw as seen from a village at the foot of the mystic mountain. FILE PHOTO/JEROME QUEJANO

MANILA, Philippines—In the heat of summer, local authorities must be more active in protecting forests from accidental fires or wildfires, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said on Saturday.

It is important, he said, that local officials communicate more about forest fire prevention and enforce regulations to minimize practices that may cause forest fires, especially during the dry season when wildfires occur more frequently.

“More fuel for forest fires will become available as drier conditions will increase the probability of wildfires in the months ahead, and prevention is the best line of defense we can mount against them,” Paje said in a statement.

Improving awareness and involving the public in forest protection are crucial in preventing and fighting forest fires, he said, as well as cooperation between the authorities and relevant agencies.

At the same time, Paje called on local governments to improve the management of farming activities that involve open burning in forests and grasslands.

He said localities may enforce open air burning regulations covering areas where flammable materials, which could ignite and carry fire to forestland, are located.

Paje also appealed to the public to take precautions to prevent the occurrence of forest fires similar to the ones that razed large parts of Mounts Banahaw and San Cristobal in Quezon province recently.

“Mt. Banahaw has already shown significant signs of improvement after a decade of being closed to the public, but we still need to give the mountain sufficient time to fully recover,” he added.

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