Manila, April 24 -- The office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Eastern Visayas has warned that prolonged dry conditions are making grasslands more vulnerable to fire outbreaks.

In an interview Friday, OCD Regional Director Joel Erestain warned of practices that could ignite fires such as carelessly throwing cigarette butts in areas with dry vegetation.

He said that fires can easily break out and spread just like what happened in Homonhon Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar last week.

"It's hot and dry during El Nino, so vegetation ignites quickly. Even cigarette butts can easily start fires, especially in areas covered with dry cogon grass," Erestain told the Philippine News Agency.

He explained that beyond direct ignition, embers carried by stro...