THE Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Monday urged the public to be vigilant as March, April, and May remain the most fire-prone months in the country.
In a statement, the BFP said fire incidents in Metro Manila peak in March and April, with the highest number of fire incidents consistently being recorded in April.
In the past five years, 2024 recorded the highest number of fire incidents at 22,301, higher than 16,228 logged in 2025. The lowest was seen in 2021 at 12,812.
The BFP also identified the following villages as the most fire-prone areas: Payatas in Quezon City, Baseco Compound in Manila, Bagong Silang in Caloocan, the Maricaban area in Pasay, Barangay Western Bicutan in Taguig, and Barangay Tejeros in Makati.
“Fires don’t start big,” the BFP said. “They grow exponentially, doubling in size every 30 seconds. The first minutes of a fire are crucial, and the proper relay of complete and accurate information can make all the difference in emergency response.”
The BFP has improved the average nationwide fire emergency response time to 3-4.5 minutes through the Unified 911 system, which has centralized dispatch, GPS-based caller location, and stronger inter-agency coordination.
While a faster response can make a difference in saving lives, the BFP urged the public to closely monitor heat sources and avoid unattended stoves and open flames, noting that prevention remains the strongest defense.
The BFP also advised the public to check electrical systems for overloaded outlets, exposed wiring practice safe smoking habits, address malfunctioning appliances, and prepare a clear fire escape plan. — CAT
