• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
About 35 hectares of forest land situated at the Mt.Kanlaon volcano area that borders La Castellana in Negros Occidental and Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, were razed by a fire that started late Thursday afternoon, La Castellana Mayor Alme Rhumyla Nicor Mangilimutan disclosed yesterday.
Based on the initial reports of the Protected Area Superintendent, Mangilimutan said the fire originated at the barren upper Pasto area of Brgy.Biak Na Bato in La Castellana, and spread towards Sitio Mananawin in Brgy. Masulog, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
Through the collaborative efforts of the Bureau of Fire and Protection, which sent its Special Unit, members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Office of Civil Defense, and DRRM personnel of local government units surrounding Mt. Kanlaon Volcano, they managed to contain the fire yesterday.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, as of this time, Mangilimutan said. She added that many trees had been destroyed by fire.
The mayor, who went to the Protected Area Superintendent Office in Brgy. Biak Na Bato in La Castellana on Thursday night, further said that BFP fire fighters, DRRM personnel from La Castellana and other local government units, and that of Mt. Kanlaon National Park, as well as volunteers, had a hard time containing the fire because of strong winds and the summer heat.
The Pasto area, which was planted with trees, had also been destroyed by fire before, she recalled.
Alert Level 1 is still hoisted over Kanlaon volcano, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. As such, a no entry policy is being imposed within its 4 kilometer radius permanent danger zone.
Mangilimutan, however, said they have received reports that people continue to defy the order of Phivolcs.
On the other hand, Canlaon City Mayor Jose Cardenas said they have mobilized the Green Brigade of the city government to help contain the blaze.
Cardenas said that he has coordinated with Dennis Peñosa, protected area superintendent (PASU) of the Mount Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP), to coordinate efforts to contain the blaze.
“The collaborative efforts of all involved parties aim to swiftly bring the situation under control and minimize the impact on the surrounding area,” he said in a statement.
Cardenas pointed out the importance of “prompt and coordinated action in addressing emergencies such as this grass fire.”
“The safety and well-being of residents and the preservation of natural resources remain top priorities for the City Government of Canlaon,” Cardenas said.*
