AUTHORITIES are continuing to look into the massive grass fire that hit Mount Kanlaon Natural Park earlier in March.
Al Orolfo, regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Negros Island Region (DENR-18), said the fire affected 150 hectares of grassland and was definitely man-made.
“It was part of a human activity,” Orolfo said.
The DENR-18 director said he has directed personnel to identify the perpetrators.
Initial investigation has led to the theory that a discarded cigarette butt may have started the fire.
Grassland on the slopes of the volcano in Barangays Pula and Mananawin, Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, started burning on Friday, March 25. The fire was put out on Sunday, March 27.
A separate fire was also seen on the side of the volcano in Barangay Biak na Bato, La Castellana, Negros Occidental, on Thursday, March 24.
Orolfo said the Thursday fire spread to the site covered by the National Greening Program of DENR-18, affecting about 90 percent of the 56-hectare area.
He said most of the plants affected were cacao and coffee.
The fire started in the kitchen of a local resident and spread to the plantation.
Orolfo said the house owner is mandated to replant the area. (MPE)