A large area of the mountainous part in Silago, Southern Leyte caught fire during the last week of July, 2021. Municipal Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Officer Alfie Almine said that the fire actually started for a few days already but because it was inaccessible, the firefighters responded only on Wednesday, July 28. The Bureau of Fire Protection Silago and Hinunangan Fire Station joined forces with the Barangay Volunteer Fire Brigade to control the fire.
The areas affected are mostly the upland part of barangays Tubod and Imelda, in Silago.
“We cannot easily stop the fire due to the hot and windy weather caused by the southwest monsoon (habagat) season, which occurs in July to September. We are highly monitoring the area. The Bureau of Fire, Silago personnel roam the nearby areas informing home and property owners. As of now, there are no casualties recorded,” Almine added.
However, aside from burnt trees, the PLDT’s fiber optic cable also caught fire.
Rhonechelle Cabodbod
Photo by: Alfie Almine – MDRRMO Silago