Wildfire hits La Castellana, Negros Occ in vicinity of Mount Kanlaon

A wildfire broke out reportedly at the foot of Mount Kanlaon in the Municipality of La Castellana, Negros Occidental.

According to the Bureau of Fire Protection in La Castellana, the wildfire occurred in Barangay Biak na Bato and Barangay Masulog.

BFP La Castellana received a report on the wildfire at past 1 p.m. on March 14, 2024. The operation was ongoing, as of 2 p.m. of March 15, 2024, while the leaping flames slowed down reportedly to a smolder.

The Provincial Disaster Management and Program Division Office of Negros Occidental has sent a team to help in firefighting.

According to the Local Government Unit of La Castellana, no one was hurt in the fire.

Authorities are still on their assessment of the affected areas and the cause of the fire, as of posting time. 

They also clarified that the fire has not affected the major treeline of Mount Kanlaon Natural Park on the La Castellana side.

As for Mount Kanlaon, Phivolcs said Alert Level 1 or low-level unrest is still hoisted over the volcano. Phivolcs recorded an average of 1,800 tons in sulfur emissions. —GMA Regional TV