Rain extinguishes Kanlaon Volcano grass fire after eruption

Rain has extinguished a grass fire on Kanlaon Volcano that occurred following a volcanic eruption on Tuesday.

A drone was deployed to assess the fire, but access to the Permanent Danger Zone was restricted due to the ongoing volcanic activity.

Although the fire was visible until 9 p.m. Tuesday, an hour-long rainfall in the area helped to quell it.

The rainfall was not strong enough to cause a lahar or mudflow, and the fire did not spread downwards towards any populated areas due to slow winds.

Phivolcs declared the fire out by 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 9.

The full extent of the damage has yet to be determined as direct aerial inspections were hindered by cloud cover.

Phivolcs stated that the fire was caused by superheated ballistic fragments ejected from Kanlaon's crater during the eruption.