Remain vigilant and immediately report forest fires incidents to local authorities during this Fire Prevention Month. This was the advice of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Eastern Visayas.
“The month of March marks the beginning of hotter seasons where fire incidents usually occur, including the very alarming forest fires. Let us observe the advocacy campaigns of Fire Prevention Month this March, by exercising vigilance and being mindful of our activities that may harm our forests”, DENR 8, Regional Director Tirso Parian Jr. was quoted in a report.
Earlier, netizens reported through social media incidents of forest and bush fire in Eastern Samar province.
Parian directed an investigation of the incidents through the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) of Borongan in Eastern Samar.
A forest/bush fire occurred on March 14 in Barangay San Miguel, Hernani, Eastern Samar, according to CENRO’s report.
About seven hectares of timbereland identified by the DENR as a reforestation site were damaged. The site was under the National Greening Program (NGP).
On March 15 and March 16, another forest.bush fire also happened in an approximately four-hectare cogon area in Barangay Sto. Niño, Quinapondan, Eastern Samar and in Barangay Aguinaldo, General Mac Arthur, Eastern Samar respectively.
Cause of forest/bush fire incidents in the province are still being further investigated.
Parian noted that forest fire kills wildlife, and damages forests which are essential for human survival.
“We need the active cooperation of everyone, let’s protect and consider fire prevention measures for our forests”, Director Parian urged.
