BACOLOD CITY: More than 35 hectares of grasslands were affected by the fire that hit the foothills of Mt. Kanlaon from La Castellana town in Negros Occidental to Canlaon City, Negros Oriental on Thursday night, March 14.

La Castellana Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan said that, based on an aerial report from a drone, the fire started in Barangay Biak-na-Bato and crawled towards the Canlaon City side of the mountain.

Mangilimutan said personnel and volunteers from the Bureau of Fire Protection, the La Castellana Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Mt. Kanlaon National Park (MKNP) had a hard time containing the fire because of the intense heat and strong winds.

She said additional personnel were sent to help extinguish the wildfire early Friday morning.

There are no houses in the affected area, the mayor said.

A report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said that vehicles, equipment and personnel have been deployed to the area as requested by the La Castellana local government.

Canlaon City Mayor Jose Cardenas also ordered the Green Brigade of the city government to help contain the fire in coordination with Dennis Peñosa, protected area superintendent of MKNP.

"The collaborative efforts of all involved parties aim to swiftly bring the situation under control and minimize the impact on the surrounding area," Cardenas said in a statement.

"The safety and well-being of residents and the preservation of natural resources remain top priorities for the City Government of Canlaon," Cardenas said.

A report on Friday afternoon said the grassfire was already contained although smoke can still be seen in some areas.

Mt. Kanlaon is the highest mountain not only in Negros island but in the entire Visayas.

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