BFP: Open flame, unattended cooking top cause of structural fires
UNDYING EMBER. Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Cordillera Senior Fire Officer Leo Mendoza (above) and Baguio City Senior Fire Officer Chesterboy Presco report recorded increase in the number of forest and structural fires during the weekly Kapihan sa Baguio on Monday, December 19, 2022 in Baguio City. Merriam del Rosario, FNS (photos courtesy of PIA)
BAGUIO CITY – Fire incidents in the Cordillera region have increased this year, with 170 structural fires reported from January to November, according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
Open flame and unattended cooking were identified as the leading causes of these fires.
In Baguio City alone, there were 35 structural fires reported during this period, with open flame and unattended cooking again being the main causes.
According to BFP-Baguio senior fire officer Chesterboy Presco, open flame cooking or the use of firewood is a common cause of these fires, with many households not fully extinguishing the fire after use.
Presco said the region’s climate, with its high winds and temperature, makes it easier for fires to re-ignite.
Presco also said that people in the Cordillera region are fond of food and making the indigenous meat delicacy “kiniing” is no exception.
He cited an instance of fire caused by fat dripping from the process of making “kiniing”.
“Kiniing” or “Kinuday” is an indigenous specialty in the highlands, made from pork belly slices seasoned with salt, hung and left to dry (though some want it slightly moist) above smoking embers in the dirty kitchen. The flavors and the preparation differ according to the maker’s preference.
“Fat is flammable po…so we remind you please kapag gumagawa kayo ng mga ganung pagkain, pakibantayan po, wag pabayaan (when you are preparing food of that sort, please keep your eye on it, don’t leave it unattended),” Presco said.
As the holiday season approaches, the BFP is reminding the public to exercise caution when using open flame cooking and to never leave cooking unattended.
Presco also cited previous fire incidents in the city which were due to electrical causes, either short circuit or overloading; children left playing with matches and lighters; and un-extinguished cigarette butts.
To help keep the community safe during the holiday season, Presco shared the following fire safety tips:
- Unplug Christmas lights and lanterns before going to bed at night.
- Make sure all appliances are unplugged before leaving the house.
- Avoid loading circuit outlets more than its capacity.
- Extension cords should be for temporary use only.
- If setting bonfires couldn’t be helped, make sure to have a pail of water nearby.
- Before leaving the bonfire, make sure the fire is completely extinguished.
As for the region, BFP-CAR senior fire officer Leo Mendoza cited that “kaingin” or open flame in farm lands is still happening and is the leading cause of non-structural or forest fires.
According to Mendoza, the recorded cost of damage from forest fires in the entire region was estimated at Php 58,144,104.59 (79.582 hectares) in 2021 and surged to Php 124,696,454.00 (1,731.985 hectares) in 2022, mostly in Benguet Province.
Mendoza cited RA 9003 specifically mentioning the prohibited act of burning any kind of waste material including branches of trees.
Mendoza said the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be providing hands-on training in forest firefighting to its members and personnel in the coming year.
Mendoza also said that they are procuring equipment for this purpose, as they are responsible for protecting our mountains, especially remote areas that are not accessible by fire trucks.
To enhance their efforts, he said DENR will be bringing in additional resources and working with the Community Fire Auxiliary Group (CFAG) to train local community members as partners in the event of a fire. ###
