Name: ____Jeanna Mariel D.

Reyes______________________________ Date: __9/6/2020____

Course/Year/Section: __BSA 1A_________________________________

A CASE STUDY OF GRASSLAND FIRES AT CAYABON HILLS,

MAYSALAY, GOA, CAMARINES SUR

I. PROBLEM
What caused the recent grassland fires at Cayabon Hills, Maysalay, Goa,
Camarines Sur?

II. BACKGROUND
If you want to visit the town of Goa, Cayabon Hill is one of the nicest
places to go. It is perfect for trekking or relaxing. There are man-made stairs
leading to the hilltop. The hill is a gorgeous grassland with some coconut trees in
the vicinity. It has a perfect scenery and one can even see the beauty of Partido
from the top.

Photo taken by Renz Joem Sadsad Dalangin Retrieved from CHANadventure, Personal Blog

Unfortunately, last August 27, 2020 in the afternoon, a fire broke out and
spread across the grassland covering the hills. The fire scorched a huge portion
of the hills, especially on the side where the flight of stairs is located. Luckily, the
responders came as fast as possible and declared a fire out before the fire could
reach the cluster of trees in the distance.
 Photos taken by Cel A. De Jesus, Cayabon Hills after the Fire

III. HYPOTHESIS
The recent grassland fire at Cayabon Hills, Maysalay, Goa, Camarines Sur
is caused by human activities.

IV. DATA GATHERING & ANALYZING

Listed below are the different causes of fires and whether these causes
are possibly the reason for the fire in Cayabon Hills in Maysalay, Goa, Camarines
Sur.

Possible Reason for Cayabon Hills' Grassland Fires

Nature-caused Yes No
Lightning 
Volcano 

Possible Reason for Cayabon Hill’s Grassland Fires

Human-caused Yes No
Smoking 

2
 Arson 
Open burning of waste 
Faulty electrical power/ 
Utility lines
Unattended burning 
campfire
Engine/equipment 
sparks
Table 1. Possible Reasons for Cayabon Hill’s Grassland Fire

Table 1 shows that out of eight causes of fire, only two of them can be a
possible reason for the Cayabon Hill’s grassland fire. There were no possibility in
the two options for nature-caused fire. Lightning can’t be the reason because the
weather was sunny that day, which actually contributed to the fire. Volcanoes
can’t be it either because there aren’t any volcanoes present in the area.
Six activities are listed in the “Human-caused” category, by which two of
them are considered as possible reasons for the fire. The first is smoking. A lot of
tourists and locals visit the area and it can be assumed that one of them smoked
a cigarette and threw the little cigarette butt recklessly. There are three
elements needed to make a fire: oxygen, heat, and fire. All of these are present in
the situation so it is identified as one of the reasons.
The second probable option is open burning of waste. And example of this
activity is burning of trash on the open ground. A lit particle might be carried
away by the wind and start a fire once it comes in contact with a dry material. It
is also possible that the flame happens to grow unexpectedly big enough to reach
the grass and spread.
According to the initial investigation of the Municipal Disaster Risk
Reduction & Management Office (MDRRMO) -Goa, the fire was caused by an
open flame caused by burning waste on a yard at a house just on the foot of the
hill. A burning trash was potentially blown by the wind, causing it to reach the
dry grass and spread the fire.

V. CONCLUSION
Basing on the analysis of data gathered and MDRRMO-Goa's initial
investigation, it is therefore concluded that the recent grassland fire at Cayabon
Hills, Maysalay, Goa, Camarines Sur is caused by human activity, namely, the act
of burning trash at an open space.