KIBUNGAN, Benguet (PIA) -- The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)  is appealing anew to the public to be vigilant following the forest fire that transpired in Sitio Amanayaw in Palina,  Kibungan, Benguet on March 3.

In a phone interview, Fire Officer 3 Kenny Gadoan of BFP-Kibungan said that they were informed by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) regarding the forest fire that started at 8:10AM.  They immediately responded and through the joint efforts of BFP-Kibungan, MDRRMO, personnel of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office - Buguias, and the community, the fire was put out at 5:43PM of same day. 

Gadoan  said there were big pine trees and some recently planted trees that were  burned. The cause of the fire is still being determined.

He    stressed the importance of preventing or controlling the  practice  of kaingin system  which may cause forest fire.

"Ipalpalagip mi kuma nga iw-iwas kuma (nga agpuor) dagiti kakailian tayo karkaru daytoy Benguet ken ditoy Kibungan karkaru ta ti maysa kadagiti trabaho dagiti kakailian tayo ket ti ag-garden. Sunga dagitoy kuma agka-kaingin, at least kuma ket i-prevent da pay kuma or just in case, i-control da ngay. Isu ti maysa gamin nga cause ti forest ken grass fire tayo (We are reminding our kakailian to avoid slash and burn, especially in Benguet, in Kibungan wherein one of the livelihood of the residents is gardening. We must prevent or at least control the kaingin system. This is one of the causes of forest and grass fires)," Gadoan said.

This was  the first fire incident logged in the municipality of Kibungan this year. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)