A wildfire has ravaged more than 58 hectares of mountainous terrain in parts of Bangui, Ilocos Norte, and Magalang Pampanga.

There were no reported injuries.

Firefighters reportedly struggled to contain the blaze because of the dry foliage and strong winds.

The fire broke out around noon, engulfing over 40 hectares of land in Bangui, Ilocos Norte. 

Firefighters from Bangui, Pagudpud, and Burges fought the flames for seven hours.

Authorities urge people to refrain from starting fires, as the mountainous areas are also vulnerable to wildfires.

“Parati namin sinasabi [sa publiko] na hindi narin bahay [ang] nai-involve sa sunog, maging ang mga kabundukan, kaya sinasabi namin na wag silang mag-sunog, dahil ito ang after effect nito… [posible na sanhi rin] yung ang pagbabago ng panahon,” SFO3 Grayson Austria, Acting Municipal Fire Marshal of Bangui, said.

In Magalang, Pampanga, approximately 18 hectares of land were consumed by the blaze in Mount Arayat.

Authorities are investigating the causes of the fire, considering factors such as the intense heat and hikers disposing of cigarette butts.

“Yung nangyari diyan [sa Arayat] hindi pa po natin alam kung anong pinagmulan niyan. Hopefully po, maging eye opener po ito kasi sayang po ang 18.8 hectares na nasunog, panahon po ang ginugol po para mapalago ang mga kahoy po na iyan and then all of a sudden mawawala, sayang naman po,” FInsp John Dominic Fontillas, Fire Marshal of the Magalang BFP, said.

In response, the local government is contemplating of implementing a temporary closure of Mount Arayat to hikers as a preventive measure.