The Forest Resources Conservation Division-Forest Protection Section of the Forest Management Bureau (FMB) is spearheading a Workshop on the Updating of Data Inputs in the Forest and Grassland-Fire Danger Rating System (FG-FDRS). The two-day workshop,taking place on July 17-18, 2025, at the Golden Phoenix Hotel Manila in Pasay City.

The FG-FDRS is a web-based early warning tool designed to assess and forecast the likelihood of forest and grassland fires at various geographic scales —from municipalities to provinces and regions. By integrating historical fire data, fire weather indices (FWI), and environmental inputs, the system supports timely interventions that can prevent large-scale forest fires, haze pollution, and ecological damage.

The model draws on critical datasets, including land cover and topography, historical fire occurrences, vegetation and soil moisture levels, and key meteorological parameters such as temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, and wind speed. These inputs are sourced from various government agencies, including the Department of Interior and Local Government-Bureau of Fire Protection (DILG-BFP) and the Department of  Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAG-ASA).

The workshop brings together technical representatives from DENR Regional Offices, DENR-FMB, DOST-PAGASA, and DILG-BFP, with the following  objectives:

• Facilitate the exchange of knowledge and to build the skills of future Data Managers and Regional Focal Persons of the DENR Field Offices nationwide;

• Capacitate the users from the DENR Field Offices in navigating the features and use including updating of data in the FG-FDRS; and

• To come up with data sharing protocols prior to the operationalization and implementation of the system.

A major highlight of the workshop is the establishment of a formal data-sharing protocol through collaboration among DENR-FMB, DOST-PAGASA, and DILG-BFP. This protocol will ensure accurate and real-time data integration of meteorological  data into the system, enhancing its forecasting capabilities. Such partnerships also improve the transparency and integrity of shared data, reducing the risks of data inconsistency or manipulation.

Through the enhanced FG-FDRS, DENR Data Managers will be equipped to proactively identify fire-prone areas, enforce early mitigation measures, and enhance surveillance within  their jurisdictions. This marks a proactive shift in fire prevention strategies nationwide. This activity represents a crucial step in the DENR’s continuing commitment to protect the country’s forest ecosystems from the growing threat of forest fires and the harmful effects of haze and air pollution.