DENR preparing criminal charges against tourists responsible of burning grassland inside Mt. Pulag

Photo Courtesy: BFP National Headquaters

Cordillera - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is preparing to file criminal charges against group of tourists who are responsible in the burning of almost 1.5 hectares of grassland, including luscious grass and dwarf bamboo plants inside the Mt. Pulag National Park. 

Last Saturday afternoon, fire hit a camp on Mount Pulag National Park in  Kabayan, Benguet causing a massive forest fire destruction of the richly verdant grassland. 

Initial Investigation revealed that the blaze was caused by a portable butane burner left by a group of hikers from Cebu. 

Firefighters arrived a the scene at around 7.10 p.m and were able to stopped the fire at 9.15 p.m.

After the incident, the DENR is planning to impose additional requirements for tourists visiting the park to ensure that such incident would not be repeated. 

Meanwhile, Mt. Pulag national park management team is looking for an open area to be designated as a place where tourists and visitors can cook. 

They also plan to require overnight campers to bring with them portable fire extinguishers whenever they planned to stay in the park overnight.

Butane Burner left by campers from Cebu. Photo Courtesy: BFP