MALAYBALAY CITY (BukidnonNews.Net/22 May 2026) Local firefighters wrestle for almost an hour with a forest fire in Sitio Incalbug,Brgy. Can-ayan, Malaybalay City on May 21, 2026 (Thursday). Veteran forest firefighter Elmer dela Cerna shares videos about the incident on his social media account and noted that village-based forest fire fighters served as first responder. About three hectares of grassland with assorted species of trees were damaged. They said they were able to save a house from the fire. The City ENRO Firefighters based in a checkpoint, who served as reinforcement received the report at around 3:30p.m. Dela Cerna said they traced the fire origin to be intentional for a garden expansion but, which has escalated. “OK ra atong mga fire fighters, safety first permanente (always),” Dela Cerna said when asked about the incident.
Dela Cerna noted the help from volunteer fire fighters from the barangay. He also cited previously initiated dialogue with leaders of the local tribe to help curb forest fires in the area.
Malaybalay City recorded 33 forest fires across eight barangays from February to April 15, 2026, damaging an estimated 133.1 hectares, according to the City Environment and Natural Resources Office.
City data show that Barangay Can-ayan, the hardest-hit area, logged 10 incidents and sustained the largest damage at 53.1 hectares, accounting for about 40 percent of the total affected area. The fires also impacted around 390 trees, the highest among all barangays. (Read full report here)
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) also reported at least 16 forest fire incidents across Bukidnon during the height of the dry season. The fires burned an estimated 125.49 hectares, including about 56.4 hectares of National Greening Program (NGP) reforestation areas, based on consolidated data as of April 30, 2026. DENR’s Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office’s report covered incidents, which were monitored under the areas of four Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) and two Protected Area Management Offices (PAMOs). Fires hit timberlands, grasslands, reforestation sites, coconut plantations, and protected forest zones in several municipalities and cities across the province. (Read full report here) (BukidnonNews.Net)
Photo grabs from videos by City ENRO forest fire fighters as posted by Elmer dela Cerna/BukidnonNews.Net
