BACOLOD City – A concerted effort by local authorities and volunteers successfully extinguished a forest fire at the Northern Negros Natural Park (NNNP).
The April 7 blaze, which lasted for approximately seven hours, was tackled by a team led by Protected Area Superintendent Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya.
Assisting were personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and numerous community volunteers.
The fire broke out at Spur 6, Barangay Bagong Silang in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental, and was declared under control by late afternoon.
Due to the terrain’s inaccessibility to fire trucks, the responders had to rely on manual methods, using water containers to douse the flames and prevent further spread.
Approximately three hectares of forest, predominantly planted with Udling (Syzygium nitidum) and White Lauan (Shorea contorta) trees, were affected.
Regional Executive Director Livino Duran of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) expressed his gratitude to those who participated in the firefighting efforts.
“I give my sincerest thanks and salute to all the volunteers that joined hands to put out the forest fire that occurred at NNNP. As we experience temperatures reaching dangerous levels, we must practice due care and concern in dealing with fire, not only for people around us but to the environment as well,” he said. (DENR-6/PN)
