The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 6 is intensifying its campaign forest fires, with the ongoing long dry season, its press release said.

A re-orientation and training will be conducted in Barangay Bagong Silang, Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental, today until Friday, and will be participated in by forest extension officers of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Bacolod City, and members of the peoples' organization from E.B. Magalona, Murcia, DSB and Talisay City, the press release said.

The trainors are Forest Resources Conservation Division chief Lucia Jardinico, foresters Catherine Balasa, Philip Lechoncito, Joselito Salazar, Alexis Ligayo, and Remia Buaron, and CENR Officer Edgardo Rostata.

The activity is funded by the DENR Region 6 and the National Program Support for Environment and Natural Resources Management Project Bago River Watershed subproject, and aims to teach them how to suppress forest fires, its proper reporting and assessment of damages.

The training that started in San Carlos City recently hopes to strengthen operations and the spirit of volunteerism of the community as fire suppression crew.

Rostata said usual causes of forest fires are charcoal-making and the kaingin slash-and-burn practice, and local communities can help protect property and life and limb against them, the press release added.*

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