News Center
"Honolulu fire responded to a brush fire in Waimea Valley on Tuesday. (Image: Sunny Platt)"
From the Source:
As many as three acres have been burned in a brush fire in Waimea Valley on Tuesday evening, according to Honolulu fire officials.
Fire crews coordinated several air drops in an attempt to extinguish as many "hot spots" as they could in the area. Between 2.5 and three acres were burned in the blaze, according to HFD.
Click above to view video.
Don't let the green grass deceive you! Even during the "wet season," wildfires can ignite and spread quickly. Stay alert and have a plan. Make sure to keep those grasses and weeds that are growing with all the rain away from your house. Learn more by checking out the Ready, Set, Go! Wildland Fire Action Guide.
From the Source:
"All the traffic going the other way, so we can sit in traffic going back and try to get through Waialua or we can sit here and at least see what's going on," motorist Leslie Maxwell said.
The fire burned pretty close to the edge of Kamehameha Highway. Because of the wind conditions, fire officials were worried the fire was going to jump the road.
"The trade winds were going this way when we first arrived on scene, so the perimeter along Kamehameha Highway was burning. It was in danger of jumping Kamehameha Highway, but the wind shifted and it started burning the opposite direction so it worked in our favor," Battalion Chief Paul Kato said.
Fire officials say several abandoned vehicles and debris within homeless camps in the area were damaged in the fire.
"HFD responds to an area near the Patsy Mink Park." Credit- Hawaii News Now
We are glad to hear homes and people were safe after Honolulu Fire Department was able to keep the blaze near Patsy Mink Regional park away from homes. It was a close call though and we are just in the beginning of peak fire season. Be prepared and have a plan!
From the Source:
"At one point, witnesses say windy conditions pushed the large flames close to homes and HPD evacuated nearby residents. Luckily, HFD extinguished the flames before any homes were damaged."
CONGRATULATIONS! You have found one of the four fires of your scavenger hunt.
"A brush fire closed in on a residential area on Poamoho Street in Haleiwa yesterday. Smoke from the huge blaze was visible from miles away." (Cindy Ellen Russell/Star Bulletin)
The Waialua Fire was the largest wildfire between 2003-2007 that burned during the kau season.
The fire ultimately burned over 7,000 acres. You can see just how scary the fire was from the photo on the right! This shows the importance of planning and creating defensible space around your home ahead of time. Learn more about how you and your family can protect yourselves from wildfire with the Ready, Set, Go! Action Guide.
"A brush fire that consumed more than 1,500 acres closed roads and forced the evacuation of at least two housing areas on the North Shore yesterday."
"Portions of Kamehameha Highway, Kaukonahua Road and Farrington Highway were closed to traffic as a result of the fire.
Hawaiian Electric Co. shut down power to about 1,130 customers in the area.
The Hawaii chapter of the American Red Cross opened up a shelter at Waialua District Park community center but moved it to Whitmore Community Park at about 8 p.m. after power went out."
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of protection.””
