MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — Teams of forest firefighters are navigating steep and mountainous terrain to contain a series of grassland and forest fires as the dry season intensifies across the province. Local officials in Malaybalay City reported on Monday, April 27, 2026, that nearly 100 hectares of land have already been affected since February, with “kaingin” (slash-and-burn) practices identified as the primary cause.
The Malaybalay City Environment and Natural Resources Office (City ENRO) has identified several barangays as high-risk zones due to recurring blazes:
- Barangays: Can-ayan, Natid-asan (Casisang), Kalasungay, Patpat, Kibalabag, and Manalog.
- Environmental Impact: The fires have ravaged diverse ecosystems, including bamboo areas, pine forests, acacia plantations, and extensive grasslands.
City ENRO chief Dr. Jessie Suson noted that the majority of these incidents are linked to residents clearing land for corn planting.
- Intentional Burning: Dry vegetation is being set on fire to prepare for the next planting cycle, but the extreme heat and dry winds cause these fires to quickly spiral out of control.
- El Niño Context: The threat is heightened by current dry weather patterns and looming El Niño conditions, which have left the vegetation highly flammable.
Efforts to suppress the fires are hampered by Bukidnon’s rugged geography:
- Steep Terrain: Firefighters must trek through slippery and vertical mountain ridges, often carrying heavy equipment.
- Night Operations: Suppressing fires after dark is particularly hazardous due to poor visibility and the risk of falls on unstable ground.
- Monitoring: In response to the crisis, watchtowers have been activated along mountain ridges to provide early warning of new smoke plumes.
Authorities are urging upland communities to cease all open burning activities immediately.
“These are generally intentional open burning for cultivation that leads to forest fires,” Suson warned, stressing that the loss of forest cover exacerbates the province’s vulnerability to heat and future droughts.
Residents are encouraged to report sightings of smoke or unauthorized burning to the City ENRO or local fire departments to prevent further destruction of Bukidnon’s natural resources.