DENR: Better to prevent bush fires

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 said there are three aspects to consider in forest or bush fire management —prevention, detection and suppression— after two bush fire incidents happened in the 630-hectare Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve in Barangay Toong, Cebu City.

DENR regional executive director Maximo Dichoso said it is more practical and sensible to prevent forest fires than to control them.

 Dichoso indicated several measures to prevent their occurrence such as intensive and aggressive information, education and communication.

 Dichoso cited the carelessness and irresponsible activities of humans that cause a fire to break out, such as disposing of lighted cigarette butts, a campfire with live cinders or charcoal left by hunters or campers and a pasture land burned to improve livestock grazing.

In a campaign for fire prevention, the information covers various topics to include origin, prevention, and control of fires, and the people’s participation by organizing and mobilizing the community to serve as volunteer fire brigade at a barangay level.

During the dry season, Dichoso said grass and other vegetation dry up and become very flammable. He suggested that these dried litter should be collected and removed from the site as they are potential source of fire.

Meanwhile, firelines which is a 10-meter wide vegetation-free strip that is usually established at the borders of the plantation and at given intervals inside the plantation is encouraged.

“Greenbreaks or shelterbelts which are strips of vegetation composed of fire-resistant trees, shrubs and vines should also be established,” he said

“Mopping up a forest fire that is all burning debris has to be extinguished thoroughly is an important component of fire suppression,” he explained.

Dichoso already instructed their field officials to continuously monitor and conduct regular patrols in all protected areas in the region so they can prevent forest or bush fires, particularly inside the Central Cebu Protected Landscape area,

“As much as possible, we want to protect our tree plantation from forest fires as the damage may have been bigger,” he added.

CCPL, under Republic Act No. 9486 which was approved on June 7, 2007 that covers a consolidated area of 28,312 hectares.

It covers Buhisan Watershed Forest Reserve (BWFR), Mananga Watershed Forest Reserve, Sudlon National Park, Central Cebu National Park and the Kotkot-Lusaran Watershed Forest Reserve located in the cities of Cebu, Talisay, Toledo and Danao, and in the municipalities of Minglanilla, Consolacion, Liloan, Compostela, and Balamban.  (FREEMAN)