Foresters mobilized to contain fire in Agusan Marsh

BUNAWAN, Agusan del Sur – Government foresters were mobilized yesterday to try and put out the fire in an estimated 63-hectare wetalnds near the protected area of Agusan Marsh in landlocked Agusan del Sur province.

The fire is currently raging in Bayugan III in Rosario town.

Bunawan Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Forester Jerome I. Albia is forwarding daily reports to Regional Executive Director (RED) Atty. Felix S. Alicer.

The CENR Officer of Bunawan already asked the help of Bantay Danao Conservation Group volunteers, through the Protected Area Superintendent (PASu) and Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) as local researchers, to help contain the fire.

There are 120 Bantay Danao Volunteers from the marsh communities of the municipalities of Bunawan, La Paz, Loreto, Rosario, San Francisco and Talacogon, all in Agusan del Sur.

Albia also created a task force to investigate on what originated the fire.

Reports said dark smoke has been billowing from the area for several days since the fire began that prompted alarmed local foresters and local officials to call for firemen from the nearest station about 25 kilometers away.

Initial report from CENR Officer Albia said the firefighters tried but failed to penetrate into the exact location of the fire because the area is “swampy” and considering the water and vegetation of peat soil.

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