Boracay hilly portion identified as high fire risk

Boracay Island – A hilly portion of world-renowned Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan is prone to fire.

Senior Fire Officer Patricio Collado, acting provincial fire marshal of Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP-Aklan), said this as Fire Prevention Month starts this March.

“Several hilly portions such as the Talipapa area are considered high risk to fire.  Aside from being highly elevated, structures including hotels and boarding houses are too close to each other and it is difficult to immediately stop fire incidents when these are triggered,” said Senior Fire Officer Patricio Collado, acting Provincial Fire Marshall of the Bureau of Fire Protection in Aklan province (BFP-Aklan).

Speaking with local media at the start of Fire Prevention Month, which starts March 1, today, Collado recalled the fire which engulfed four hectares of a hilly portion on the island in June, 2015.  A fire also hit Boracay a day prior to Christmas day last year. These fires on the island have resulted to millions of pesos in property damage.

This March, BFP-Aklan is set to conduct a month-long study and mapping of fire hazard areas.

This is part of the agency’s initiative for a massive fire prevention campaign that aims to lower the number of fire incidents breaking out in the country’s premier tourist destination.

“We really need the cooperation of stakeholders and the local government of Malay,” appealed Collado.