DENR on maximum alert vs wildfires amid ‘very strong’ El Niño

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has elevated wildfire prevention to maximum alert status nationwide as the onset of a “Very Strong” El Niño triggers extreme heat and severe vegetation drying across grasslands and forests.

Environment Secretary Juan Miguel “Mitch” Cuna said regional offices have rolled out comprehensive interventions—including total park closures, fireline construction, and continuous foot patrols—to protect critical ecosystems from escalating fire threats.

“Our decision to deploy dedicated Bantay Gubat patrols and build firelines in high priority areas reflects our firm commitment to prevent wildfires. We call on all citizens, farmers, and local leaders to observe strict bans on open burning and kaingin,” Cuna said.

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READ: Four killed fighting wildfires in Indonesian national park

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Regional lockdowns and frontline defenses

In Mindanao, DENR Region 11 executed a major preventive measure by ordering the temporary, total closure of Mount Apo Natural Park to all trekking and recreational activities. The shutdown aims to allow ecosystem recovery and eliminate human-induced fire ignition during the peak dry period.

Region 11 personnel have also intensified patrols in National Greening Program (NGP) plantations to deter illegal logging and detect fire risks, while conducting joint rapid suppression drills alongside the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), local government units, and indigenous mountain guides.

READ: How to protect yourself from bad air caused by wildfires

DENR teams are also currently conducting post-wildfire clearing and assessment operations in Sitio Anibongan, Barangay Macambol in Mati City, Davao Oriental, while PENRO Davao de Oro coordinates with the BFP to contain separate blazes in the province.

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In Northern Luzon, DENR Region 1 deployed Bantay Gubat forest protection officers and park rangers for continuous foot patrols across conservation areas, NGP sites, and protected zones.

The region is maintaining firebreaks and 10 ranger stations equipped with lookout towers, while linking with DOST-PAGASA and local disaster risk management offices through a Red Flag Alert System for early fire detection.

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In the Bicol Region, DENR Region 5 pre-positioned firefighting equipment, trained park rangers and barangay officials in basic fire response, and scheduled twice-weekly patrols with BFP support.

At the provincial level, DENR-PENRO Masbate launched aggressive containment strategies spanning 298 hectares of forestland. Field crews established a 5,000-meter-by-5-meter fireline network in Biga-a and Parina, along with another 5,000-meter system in Alas, Mandaon.

Enforcing a strict zero-tolerance ban on kaingin (slash-and-burn farming) and open refuse burning, Masbate officers pre-positioned firefighting tools, backpack sprayers, and water drums across strategic response points in Milagros, Uson, and Palanas in coordination with Community ENRO Mobo.

Urban safety and international training

Fire mitigation efforts have also been extended to industrial and urban centers. Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) offices in Zamboanga (Region 9) and Cagayan de Oro (Region 10) have cleared dry leaf hazards, removed combustible vegetation around government compounds, and conducted facility safety inspections with local fire marshals.

To bolster technical capabilities, select DENR personnel completed specialized training on forest fire prevention, suppression, and management in France and Indonesia.

In June 2026, DENR foresters participated in simulation exercises alongside BFP experts at the Environment and Natural Resources Academy in Nueva Ecija.

DENR Quick Response Teams (QRTs) remain on 24/7 standby across all regional offices to assist local fire authorities.

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“Protecting our forests from fire is a shared national duty,” Cuna stressed, urging the public to exercise extreme caution in fire-prone areas.