A grass fire affected up to 4,500 square meters of land in Barangay Balantang, Jaro, Iloilo City.

Based on investigation by the Bureau of Fire Protection-Iloilo City, the fire may have been caused by trash or dried leaves getting burned but left unattended.

“Nangyari ito sa gitna ng open field at walang madaanan. Posible na may nagsiga since may nakita kami doon na mga agarden malapit sa grassfire,” said SFO1 Denmark Macoco, chief investigator at BFP-Iloilo City.

No one was hurt in the incident.

BFP reminded the public that improper disposal of garbage, like burning the trash, is often the cause of grassfires, not necessarily the intense heat of the sun.

Cigarette butts thrown just anywhere can also trigger a fire.

“Ang iba kasi, after ng pagputol nila tapos sinusunog pero dahil malakas ang hangin, hindi nila ma-kontrol. Maliban sa pagsisiga, may chance rin ang pagtapon ng sigarilyo so dapat, maging responsable,” Macoco said.

BFP said that aside from the risk of starting grass fires, smoke from burning trash is also bad for the health, especially to people suffering from respiratory conditions like asthma.