The Bacolod fire marshal on Sunday, February 4, called on the public to help prevent grassfires and to stop burning garbage in their yards as fires can spread swiftly during the current dry spell.
Chief Inspector Stephen Jardeleza, Bacolod fire marshal, noted an increase in grassfires in Bacolod City lately.
Firefighters put out grassfires in Purok Lote, Brgy. Alijis, and at Doña Juliana Heights in Brgy Taculing, Bacolod City, on Saturday.
They also put out another grassfire at Lacson Street, Brgy. Bata, on Sunday.
Jardeleza said such fires are usually caused by people who use the grassy areas as their “comfort rooms”, smoke and throw the butts of their cigarettes on the ground or by children playing with matches.
Jardeleza also warned that burning of garbage in one’s yard is dangerous and illegal.
He said firefighters are kept busy responding to grassfires because of the public’s carelessness.
Grassfires will exhaust the water and gasoline supply of their fire trucks, which could affect the firefighters capability to swiftly respond to fires that hit homes and buildings should they occur at the same time, Jardeleza said.
If the public want firefighters to have the capability to respond to fires that could hit their homes, they should avoid causing grassfires, he added.*