3-day peatland fire exposes threats to Agusan Marsh
SAN FRANCISCO, AGUSAN DEL SUR—A three-day fire ravaged a stretch of peatland within the vast Agusan Marsh that had authorities suspecting of increased human activities in the isolated area.
Harold Sumilhig, conservation biologist of the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary Protected Area Management Office (Pamo), said the recent fire indicated a growing threat to the ecological integrity of the marsh and its vital resources, suspected to have been caused by human activities in the area.
The fire started around midday on July 23, per report by officials of Barangay Bayugan 3 in Rosario town, Agusan del Sur.
Due to the difficulty of reaching the area, the Bureau of Fire Protection was unable to respond to the incident.
Aerial surveillance
Thanks to the rain, the fire was put out on July 26, Sumilhig said. However, he said it was possible the rains just extinguished the fire at the surface but flames were still smoldering underneath, which was also the case in previous incidents. The peatland fire in 2019 lasted for several weeks.
A composite team led by Pamo conducted an investigation into the fire on July 25. It was found that the fire occurred within the Rosario-Bunawan peatland, specifically in Barangay Kalingayan, which is located along the Maharlika national highway.
But the affected area is notorious for its difficult terrain, with thick mud and dense vegetation, making it nearly impossible to access by foot.
Due to these, drones were deployed for aerial surveillance. Based on drone images, experts estimated the damaged portion to stretch some 152 hectares.
