Thick smoke covered the mountains of Barangays Barbaquezo and Virbira in Carasi, Ilocos Norte as a massive grassfire spread across 287 hectares of land.
Authorities believe the fire started around 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 30, 2025, although the exact cause remains unknown, as of this posting.
“Hindi pa natutukoy or nadi-determine kung ano po ‘yung pinaka-cause o sanhi kung bakit nagkaroon ng grassfire incident sa bayan ng Carasi,” Adreanne Pagsolingan, Public Information Officer of the Office of Civil Defense Region 1, said.
The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) worked together to put out the fire.
Due to strong winds and dry conditions, the flames spread quickly. It also damaged several trees in the area.
The Philippine Air Force Tactical Operations Group 1 conducted heli-bucket operations to control the remaining fire.
“Under control na po ‘yung fire incident sa bayan ng Carasi. However, ongoing pa rin ang heli-bucket operation doon sa area,” Pagsolingan said.
As of this writing, no casualties have been reported.
Authorities are still assessing the total damage and investigating the incident.
Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense has raised its alert status to blue in response to the fire.