WILDFIRES spread over some 350 hectares of Benguet forest that started on December 22 and continued growing due to strong winds and the weather.
The Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, through the Philippine Air Force – Tactical Operations Group (PAF-TOG 1) and the Bureau of Fire Protection – Cordillera (BFP-CAR), continued their Bambi Bucket Operations to suppress the fire that hit the towns of Itogon and Bokod.
According to the BFP-CAR, at least 200 hectares were affected in the municipality of Itogon, and at least 150 hectares in the municipality of Bokod.
The cause of the forest fires is still currently unknown. Authorities said that investigations are still ongoing to determine the cause of the fires.
To suppress the fires, a PAF-TOG 1 aircraft ferried water from the Binga Dam in Itogon town to douse the flames in the municipality.
