Fire hits Mount San Cristobal in Quezon

A fire that broke out Tuesday has affected 70 to 80 hectares of forest and grasslands on Mount San Cristobal in Quezon province, a television report said Thursday.

According to a report on GMA News TV's News To Go, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) declared 'fire out' at around 7:57 a.m. on Thursday. However, fire sparked again at the same area shortly after 9 a.m.

The report added that while authorities have yet to conclude on the cause of the fire, initial reports showed hot weather may have been a factor.

Fire broke out at around 2 p.m. on Tuesday, an earlier television report said.
 

Quoting BFP officials, the News To Go report noted that the lack of trees in the area may have contributed to the immediate spread of fire at Mount San Cristobal. It added that big trees may have acted as shield to prevent its immediate spread.

While local authorities are looking into conducting a cloud seeding operation in the area, they noted that planting more trees may be a long-term solution, it added.

On the other hand, authorities are also looking into the possibility that the fire may have been caused by candles left by pilgrims, the same report said.

In March, fire broke out at the top portion of Mount Banahaw, which is adjacent to Mount San Cristobal, destroying around 50 hectares of forest and grasslands.

Though authorities have yet to confirm the cause of the incident, initial reports showed lit candles left by pilgrims caused the fire.

Protected areas

In 2009, then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo signed a new law declaring Mounts Banahaw and San Cristobal as protected areas.

Republic Act No. 9847 or "An Act Establishing Mounts Banahaw and San Cristobal in the Provinces of Laguna and Quezon as a Protected Area Under the Category of Protective Landscape Providing for its Management and Other Purposes" would ensure the protection and conservation of the mountains, including the flora and fauna in the areas.

With the RA, the management of the areas will be now handled by the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) that will be chaired by the regional executive director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). — Amanda Fernandez/RSJ, GMA News