A grass fire that lasted for hours affected up to 70 hectares of land in three mountain barangays in Oslob town in southern Cebu on April 6, 2024.

According to authorities, the fire broke out as early as 1 p.m. and spread quickly because the area is covered by grass that have dried up due to the hot weather. The strong wind was also a factor in the spread. 

The fire was raised to first alarm and was placed under control at 11:30 p.m., SFO1 Christian Maturan of the Oslob Fire Station told GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak. 

Personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) stayed at the area to make sure the fire would not cross the road that traverses the site. 

"Mikusog man gud sya ang hangin, nya among gi-protektahan nga di sya molabang sa pikas nya mao lang to isig ka kilid among gikuan, gikan sa karsada, mga 20 meters, mga 30 meters, mao among gi-protektahan." SFO1 Pitz John Romeo, investigator at the Oslob Municipal Fire Station also told GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak.

Raul Alcalde, team leader for operation of the Oslob MDRRMO, said in a separate interview that the challenge for the teams on site was to make sure that the fire would not reach areas where there are houses.

An ambulance was also on standby.

The fire was put out hours later at 2 a.m. 

Barangay Cañang is approximately a 20-minute ride from the town proper via a motorcycle.

As of this writing, investigation is ongoing to determine the actual cause of the fire. Authorities warned residents against burning trash, including plants that have dried up, as these can trigger bigger fires.

(With reports from GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak)