Kanlaon Volcano. Photo courtesy of Phivolcs.
Forest fires broke out on the slopes of Kanlaon Volcano after a moderate explosive eruption Sunday evening, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.
Volcanic ash and a strong sulfuric smell affected dozens of barangays across multiple local government units in Negros Occidental, including Binalbagan, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Hinigaran, Isabela, San Carlos, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, Pontevedra, and Ilog. Parts of La Castellana, including the town center, were heavily covered in ash. Ashfall was also observed in Canlaon City, Negros Oriental.
Authorities temporarily suspended classes at all levels in Himamaylan City, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, and Binalbagan as a precaution.
The eruption sent a column of ash five kilometers into the air, drifting toward the southeast and northeast. This is the third eruption of Kanlaon this year, following previous activity in February.
Phivolcs recorded additional ash emissions later in the evening and continues to enforce Alert Level 2. Residents are barred from entering the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone while advisories remain in effect.
Canlaon City Mayor Jose Cardenas said all communities have been placed on alert. He added that emergency response teams and rescue vehicles are ready to act if necessary.
Residents were advised to use face masks or cover their nose and mouth with wet cloths to minimize exposure to ash.
In Moises Padilla, Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo halted street dance rehearsals in Barangay 4 due to ashfall hazards, emphasizing the risks to respiratory health. She said activities would resume once it was safe.
