A firefighter puts out a forest fire in the mountains of Benguet. (photo courtesy of BFP Baguio)
The Diocese of Baguio has requested for prayers for rain to help stop the fire that has been destroying the forested areas in the Cordillera mountains since Wednesday last week.
The latest wildfire follows a nine-day forest fire that ruined 150 hectares of trees in Kabayan, Benguet.
No casualties have been reported as of this writing and there is no immediate need for relief “but we need rain for the wildfire to stop. We are appealing for prayers for rain,” Rev. Fr. Manuel Flores, social action commission director of the Baguio diocese said.
20 hectares of pine trees have already been ruined by the wildfire in Sitio Nalseb, Ambassador, Tublay, Benguet. A total of three fire trucks from the Tublay Bureau of Fire Protection and the La Trinidad fire station have teamed up with the help of the villagers to control the fire.
“We are currently assessing the situation and helping inform our parishioners about it. Right now, we are praying for rain. Please pray for rain to help stop the wildfire,” Flores said.
Kaingin (slash and burn) is one of the possible reasons that caused the wildfire. (RJ Espartinez)