Air support sought as forest fire ravages Homonhon Island in Eastern Samar
TACLOBAN CITY—A grass and forest fire continues to spread across the historic Homonhon Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, prompting Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales to request immediate air support from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).
The fire reportedly started in Barangay Casuguran on April 17 and has since been observed in several other villages, including Pagbabangnan, Culasi, Canawayon and Bitaugan.
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the multiple fire incidents, with the local fire station in mainland Guiuan still conducting an assessment.
In a letter on Sunday, Gonzales appealed to Fire Chief Supt. Wilberto Rico Neil Kwan Tiu for urgent intervention, citing the rapid spread of the blaze.
As of Saturday evening, the fire had already affected about 80 to 100 hectares, the lawmaker said.
Rugged terrain
While some portions of the fire have been contained, it remains active and continues to move toward the northeastern section of the island, threatening mountainous areas and nearby communities.
“Ground response efforts are ongoing, with seven fire trucks deployed from various municipalities, along with personnel from local disaster response units and the BFP,” Gonzales said in his letter.
He added: “However, firefighting operations have been significantly hindered by the island’s rugged terrain, limited accessibility, extreme daytime temperatures, shifting nighttime winds and unreliable communication signals.”
Given the severity of the situation and the risk of further spread, the lawmaker called for the immediate deployment of air assets and additional operational support to contain the fire.
Residents have expressed concern over the ongoing incidents.
Carmi Macapago, a resident of Barangay Casuguran, said that the fires have already damaged trees and affected farmlands across several villages.
“The fire incidents have already affected several farmlands,” she said in an online interview.
Macapago, however, said no homes or residents have been harmed so far.
She noted that one of the affected areas in Canawayan is located near a secondary public school.
Another resident, Daipen Montes, warned that despite reports that the fires are under control, strong winds brought by the northeast monsoon, locally known as amihan, could trigger flare-ups.
Villagers cited multiple possible causes of the fires, including extreme heat, human activity, such as discarded cigarettes or land clearing by farmers and operations by mining companies on the island.
