About 15 hectares on sections of three upland barangays in Anini-y town, Province of Antique were engulfed in flames from 7 p.m. on February 12, 2024 to 7 a.m. of the following day.

In an investigation done by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in the Municipality of Anini-y, the fire started in Barangay Lisub-B. The blaze spread to adjacent barangays of Lisub-A and Bayo Pequeño.

The fire consumed reportedly a large portion of the arid woody patches. Dry leaves, branches and twigs, and bamboo groves fueled the spread of the flames, according to Anini-y Municipal Fire Station.

Fire investigators said that the operation became a challenge as the location was far from the highway.

The bushfire was already controlled, but the BFP advised residents in the said barangays to be vigilant, to refrain from open burning or slash-and-burn farming, and to report immediately should smoke be spotted.

“Forest fire pero it involves lang naman ng dry leaves, vines, then mga bamboo grass. Ang mga kahoy o trees (are) not affected, hindi naman naabutan ng apoy dahil sa ilalim lang naman ito. Ang bamboo grass, ang dahilan ng malaking flame na natanaw noong gabi,” SFO1 Ramil Escander, acting municipal fire marshal of Anini-y Fire Station, said.