By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE debris fire near Mount Carmel Cathedral is just one of several blazes the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services has responded to in recent days, DFEMS public information officer Robert Mojica said.
On April 30, DFEMS crews extinguished a debris fire behind San Jose Church in Oleai. The blaze involved storm-related green waste and was quickly contained. No injuries were reported, and the cause remains under review.
In Susupe, DFEMS responded to a wildfire behind the Ming Ming Market building Thursday night, using about 3,000 gallons of water to extinguish the flames and remaining embers. Another fire was reported in the same vicinity Friday afternoon at 1:52 p.m., followed by reports of smoke Sunday morning.
“I believe it’s in another area,” Mojica said of the Friday fire. “I’m going to go in there and look for myself to see where it is.”
Open burning moratorium remains in effect
DFEMS continues to enforce a full moratorium on open burning, issued April 19, due to extreme fire risk, dry vegetation, and limited water supply.
All open burning is prohibited, including:
Trash burning
Yard waste burning
Agricultural burning
Open-pit fires
Residents are urged to dispose of green waste through approved services, avoid activities that may spark fires, and report any signs of fire immediately.
Mojica said many recent incidents stem from residents attempting to burn storm debris.
“People are just trying to get rid of their green waste, but don’t do it,” he said. “One ember can just start a whole wildfire.”
He cited a Friday night incident in San Vicente where a resident attempted to burn a small pile.
“That went from a small pile to maybe 10 to 15 feet wide, and the house was about 5 feet away,” he said.
Mojica emphasized the strain on water infrastructure.
“CUC has been doing an excellent job trying to get hydrants working and restore water to every part of the village,” he said. “But some hydrants are still not working, and others only have water at certain times.”
“Please, we are asking you not to do any burns at all,” he added. “Once we have more stable water sources, then small, controlled burns may be possible. But as of right now, no burning due to the heat and humidity.”
No injuries reported
Despite the string of fires, Mojica said no injuries have been reported.
He noted recent property losses include an accidental fire at Triple Star Recycling Center in Lower Base and a duplex house fire in Kagman caused by an unattended candle.
Butane torch found at fire scene; arson probe underway
Mojica said the early morning green-waste fire at the Mount Carmel Cathedral field on Saturday is under arson investigation after responders found a butane canister with an attached torch still burning beside a pile of debris.
Mojica said the fire was reported at 1:02 a.m. Saturday. Rescue 1 arrived at 1:56 a.m. and confirmed the blaze involved green waste — mostly debris left behind by Typhoon Sinlaku.
Responders searched for a working hydrant and eventually located one about 400 to 500 feet from the scene. Engine 2 was also dispatched. The fire burned for several hours before it was brought under control and fully contained at 4:38 a.m.
Mojica said the preliminary cause points to intentional ignition. “Fire responders found a butane canister with a torch attached to it still burning next to the pile of debris and green waste,” he said.
DFEMS has notified its arson and fire prevention team. “Investigators are preparing their preliminary reports. We sent them photos of what we found, and they’re going to start the investigation. We should have an answer within the next couple of working days,” Mojica said.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
