BACOLOD CITY – The Bureau of Fire Protection in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental is preparing for a possible worst case scenario as a grassfire progresses in Kanlaon Volcano hours after an explosive eruption on Tuesday morning, April 8.
A GRASS FIRE was reported in Kanlaon Volcano hours after the eruption.
Fire Insp. Marlou Abrenica, officer-in-charge of Canlaon City Fire Station, said they are awaiting advice from the Incident Command System on the possible measures or steps to address the grassfire.
Abrenica said that they could not respond to contain and assess damage from the grassfire as nobody is allowed to enter the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) due to Kanlaon’s current state. “It is very dangerous,” he added.
He said that they are continuously monitoring the grassfire. The worst-case scenario is the fire reaching the residential area at the foot of the volcano. Abrenica said that the wind direction is slow moving and might not immediately go down.
Abrenica said that the fire affected the forested area of the volcano and they are ready for any eventuality.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported that the grassfire occurred at the eastern upper slopes of Kanlaon and ignited by superheated ballistic fragments thrown out of the crater by the eruption at 5:51 a.m.
Store water
The La Carlota City Water District advised residents, especially in Barangays Ara-al and San Miguel, to store water as the water level in their spring sources in Guintubdan and Balagacay have been reportedly decreasing following the eruption that resulted in ashfall in some parts of the city.
In an advisory posted on Facebook, the LCCWD said that it is currently working onsite to conduct immediate rehabilitation and still determining what caused the unusual activity.
This will ensure sufficient supply since the area may temporarily experience low water pressure, it said.
The public was encouraged to take precautionary measures and wear face masks for their protection.