WILDFIRES engulfed large swaths of forests and communities in both Spain and France. Firefighters struggled to control the massive blazes as extreme heat waves and strong winds further hampered efforts to contain them. Some 220,000 people in France were forced to leave their homes, while more than 100,000 in Spain fled — the largest evacuation since World War II. With temperatures reaching as high as 40 to 42 degrees Celsius, the wildfires tore through 1,570 square kilometers of land near Madrid, while in France’s famous wine region of Bordeaux, roughly 420 sq km were burned into ashes. The fires in Bordeaux also spread into other regions, even coming too close to endanger military and industrial sites that produced ballistic missiles and hazardous chemicals.
The wildfires in Europe portend the possibility of similar climate change-induced disasters making their way into the Philippines in the nearest future. The Philippines has already seen large conflagrations that exposed the high risks to our people’s safety and economy. In early January 2026, the Landers Superstore in Fairview, Quezon City, a popular warehouse and retail establishment, succumbed to a fire that escalated to the fifth alarm, requiring the deployment of all available firefighting units. In April 2026, a major fire at the closed Navotas sanitary landfill produced heavy smoke and haze that affected large parts of Metro Manila and reached even as far as Bataan. These incidents could be a buildup to a colossal firestorm in the future.
The question is, how prepared is the country’s Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to respond and control a large-scale wildfire like those seen in Spain or France?
It might not exactly be a forest fire, but large areas in Metro Manila could be affected by multiple fire outbreaks arising from a magnitude 7.8 earthquake or the “Big One.” In 2002, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) estimated that several fire outbreaks could spread in congested areas following a strong earthquake.
The BFP has nationwide fire stations, professional firefighters, available fire trucks and search-and-rescue units. However, it might not be able to overcome wildfires like those in Spain or France — not because of a lack of courageous firefighters but due to inadequate assets, materials and facilities. The BFP is among the public safety agencies that continue to face capability and resource constraints. During the wildfires in Spain and France, firefighters were able to deploy aircraft, helicopters and specialized firefighting brigades to control and suppress the spread of fire despite extreme weather. Their firefighters were also supported by satellite imagery and other surveillance systems to identify affected areas and allocate resources and personnel.
In reality, the BFP might not be able to mount a large-scale response to such wildfires without the assistance and support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Office of the Civil Defense, Philippine Coast Guard and the local government units.
The evacuation of more than 300,000 residents in Metro Manila would be a logistical nightmare for the BFP alone. Worse, it could not be able to respond simultaneously to fires in multiple locations, even with the help of volunteer firefighters. Thus, it is essential that the BFP be prioritized by our lawmakers during this budget season to boost its capabilities for prolonged and large-scale wildfires like those in Spain and France.
The immediate reforms in the BFP to achieve this capability amid worsening climate change are as follows.
First, public funds must be available to upgrade the BFP’s personal protective equipment, trucks, ladders and aerial fleet support. Additional resources can be generated by allocating its share of the Fire Safety Inspection Certificate revenues. Second, the BFP must reinforce its specialized search-and-rescue brigades and develop units better trained to respond to large-scale fires, such as high-rise buildings. They should be given off-road vehicles, portable pumps and hose systems, drones, access to satellite information, and designated water-drafting points. Third, the Department of Public Works and Highways must work with the local governments to assess, retrofit and upgrade the fire hydrant systems and their pumps in Metro Manila. Finally, firefighters must be given additional hazard pay, continuous training, adequate medical support and rehabilitation in case of injuries.
Firefighting is not an easy job. It is dangerous and life-threatening, much like fighting crimes or defending the country against foreign invaders. Amid global warming, the Philippines must build the strength of the BFP to effectively respond, control and suppress any wildfires that threaten Filipino lives and property. By investing in our Filipino firefighters today, we are merely paying premiums to insure a future that is safe, resilient and secured for the nation.
