By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bureau of Fire Protection in the Western Visayas (BFP-6) reported fire incidents are up in the first quarter of 2019.

Based on records from January to March, a total of 628 fire incidents were reported this year, an increase from the 349 recorded during the same period last year.

BFP-6 assistant operations director, Fire Superintendent Crosbee Gumowang, attributed the increase in fire incidents to the ongoing dry spell, noting, the regional office has recorded 227 grass fires.

He said the heat has caused grass to dry up, making them easier to catch fire.

The heat is also causing fires in residential areas to spread quickly, especially if homes are made of light materials. However, he noted human negligence also plays as a key factor in the number of fire incidents.

Iloilo currently has the highest number of fire incidents in the region with 374, followed by Negros Occidental reporting 118, and Antique at 46.

Gumowang added, some fire incidents have gone unreported./DGB, WDJ