Conservation official: Be careful when burning garbage

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Due to the dry conditions currently being experienced across the Western Visayas, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 6 (DENR-6) has cautioned the public over the likelihood of forest fires.

In a radio interview with RMN DYHB-Bacolod, DENR-6 conservation division head Dan Lorilla said the public, especially those living in mountainous areas, should be careful when burning trash as it could quickly jump to dry leaves and cause a blaze.

The conservation official also urged mountaineers and hikers to be responsible and ensure fires used for cooking and heating are put out properly with no embers remaining.

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu earlier issued a mandate for all local field offices to prepare for forest fires due to the onset of El Niño.

According to AccuWeather, El Niño is a climate pattern that raises sea temperatures in the Pacific Ocean. Such a system can contribute to drought conditions due to reduced rainfall./DGB, WDJ