By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services on Saturday afternoon contained a trash fire in Lower Base that sent thick black smoke over the industrial zone, one of several fire incidents crews have tackled in the past week amid unusually dry, post-Sinlaku conditions.
DFEMS dispatchers received the call at about 12:32 p.m. after the Department of Public Safety reported a possible structure fire north of the CTSI Building. Engine 1, Engine 2, Rescue 1 and Medic 2 were dispatched.
Lt. A. Aldan, the first firefighter to arrive, said blaze was burning in the parking lot of a warehouse across from Triple B Forwarders. Flames were consuming a waste area containing old trailers, tires, containers and fallen vegetation. Heavy black smoke drifted across Lower Base as crews cycled in and out to suppress the fire.
By 1:39 p.m., Aldan reported the blaze was under control and contained. The Division of Fire Prevention and Arson Investigation responded and is reviewing the cause.
Saturday’s incident comes as DFEMS continues to respond to a spike in wildfires across Saipan. In the week following Super Typhoon Sinlaku, firefighters have been dispatched to multiple brush and trash fires fueled by toppled trees, dry debris and persistent heat. Officials said the combination of fallen vegetation and ongoing dry weather has made ignition easier and allowed fires to spread more quickly.
DFEMS is urging residents to avoid open burning and to report smoke or fire immediately as crews continue monitoring high-risk areas.
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.
