By Zaldy Comanda
Baguio City -- The Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) for Mount Pulag issued Saturday night the indefinite suspension of all hiking and trekking activities at Luzon's highest mountain.
Hikers traverse the muddy and rocky single path towards the summit of Mount Pulag in Benguet
(Jonas Reyes / MANILA BULLETIN)
Office of Civil Defense Cordillera (OCD-CAR) information officer Ivy Carasi said the park management has issued an order indefinitely suspending all activities due to forest fire.
The advisory said "hikes and treks at Mt. Pulag closed due to the occurrence of forest fire affecting all camp sites and peaks at the grassland.
The OCD said all tourists and visitors who were already at the mountain were made to go to the ranger station at Babadak for safety.
Those set to go up were also made to return and stay there. They were advised of the suspension of activities at Mt. Pulag.
The advisory further said no visitors will be allowed entry but will be directed to the four lakes in Kabayan town, adjacent to Bokod municipality.
Carasi also said authorities have reported that there are no hikers or visitors stranded at the mountain.
Initial investigation showed that the fire started from a butane gas stove brought by a hiker. The fire officers in site have declared a fire out also last night while investigation is being pursued.