Philippines: Forest Fires - Apr 1998

The National Disaster Coordinating Council of the Department of National Defence of the Philippines reported that, as of 30 March, fires have already affected 15,000 hectares in Quezon and Rizal in Palawan. Latest assessment results indicate that the damage caused by the fire in the Barangay Sowangan in Quezon and in the Barangays Bunog and Iraan in Rizal is extensive. In Davao del Norte fires have also affected 200 hectares of forest of the Pacific Cordillera Mountain Range. In the five affected barangays in Rizal, 54 families were rendered homeless who are now temporarily sheltered in evacuation centres. (OCHA, 2 Apr 1998)