The Bacolod City Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has initiated controlled burning, otherwise called prescribed burning, to manage fire and protect three barangays after over six hectares of a grassy site at the reclamation area in Bacolod City were torched by fire. 

The Bacolod City BFP implemented controlled burning beginning in Barangay 8 surrounding a seven-storey structure built in honor of Pope John Paul II who celebrated the Eucharist at the exact area on February 20, 1981 during his Papal visit to the Philippines.

Over a hectare of grassy lot was put on fire on the night of April 1, 2024 as a mitigating measure.

Firefighters have ensured the public that the blaze would not threaten the lives of residents and their properties.

According to Chief Inspector Stephen Jardeleza, Bacolod City fire marshal, the measure is practical because it would not exhaust the fire truck’s fuel and load of water unlike responding to devastating fire incidents.

The Bacolod City BFP has already responded to 348 fire calls from January to March 2024; 262 of these are grassfire incidents.

It pointed out that grassfires occur as persons who steal electric cable wires and tires bring the items to grassy areas and set these on fire to reveal the copper wire.