News Center
A brush fire near Punaluu Beach shut down both directions of Highway 11. Credit: Kekuiapoiwa Mills-Bredeson/Facebook
From the Source:
A brush fire scorched more than 100 acres and forced the closure of Highway 11 on Tuesday in the area of Punaluu Beach Park.
The fire, which broke out some time after midnight Tuesday, burned approximately 122 acres between Ninole Loop, Highway 11 and Sea Mountain Golf Course in Ka‘u, Hawaii Fire Department Battalion Chief Darwin Okinaka told West Hawaii Today.
Credit: KITV4
Our hearts go out to those that suffered home damage or loss on Wednesday afternoon. Aside from the economic loss, we can only imagine the feeling of losing your possessions, your home, and the time that will be spent with the recovery process.
Make sure to check out the ReadySetGo! Action Guide to learn the easy steps you can take to significantly reduce your risk of home loss in a wildfire.
Mahalo to the firefighters who have worked tirelessly to put the large Pukalani fire out. July 4th (and New Years) are the busiest times of the year for brushfires -- help do your part by preventing wildfires to make the jobs of our firefighters easier and keep them out of harm's way.
From the Source:
A total of 2,500 acres of fallow sugar cane and brush had burned as of 7 p.m. The brush fire was initially reported at 2:30 p.m. and remains active, but crews have made “significant progress,” according to an update by Maui Fire Services Chief Rylan Yatsushiro.
At 3:55 a.m. on Wednesday July 4, 2018, a separate brush fire was reported near the Kūihelani Highway and Honoapiʻilani Highway near Māʻalaea. Fire officials say crews from Wailuku, Kīhei, Wailea and Lahaina were able to control an approximately 3-4 acre brush fire from spreading.
Credit: Augustine Colebrook
Credit: Robin Pilus
Satellite image of a section of Pulehu Road on Maui.
Roadside ignitions are a common way fires are started in Hawaii. Be careful on the roads and make sure to park only in paved or mowed areas. We are glad to hear that there were no injuries from this incident.
From the Source:
Maui firefighters have nearly contained a four-acre brush fire sparked by a vehicle accident in Pulehu this afternoon.
A two-car collision on Pulehu Road appears to have started the fire, the Maui Fire Department said in a news release.
The fire occurred north of the intersection of Hoohana Street and North Kaniku Drive on June 27 and 28.
From the Source:
Hawaii island firefighters battled a brush fire that blackened an estimated 100 acres in South Kohala from Wednesday evening to this morning.
The fire was first reported at 10:19 p.m. Wednesday on Hoohana Street, north of the intersection with North Kaniku Drive.
Credit: Matthew Thayer / The Maui News
HWMO staff were staying at Olowalu Camp for the vegetative fuels management mapping workshops on Maui. On the way to the camp, a few of our staff witnessed the fire on the way to the camp -- a fitting welcome. Peak fire season is very much here. To find out more about how to share your vegetation management priorities and goals, click here.
From the Source:
Firefighters received a call at 3:05 p.m. of a brush fire in the Ukumehame area, he said. When crews arrived on scene the fire was about 2 acres and moving quickly in strong winds. The fire grew to 10 acres by 5:30 p.m.
"The Fire Department’s Air One helicopter helps battle a fire in a Pukalani gulch Tuesday afternoon." Credit: Maui Fire Department
From the Source:
A brush fire in Pukalani came within 20 feet of homes before firefighters were able to contain and douse the blaze Tuesday [June 26] afternoon, according to fire officials.
When firefighters arrived on scene, they found a half-acre of brush burning on the north slope of the gulch and coming within 20 feet of homes on Aina Lani Drive, he said.
Manawainui Gulch on Molokai where the recent fire occurred.
From the Source:
A brush fire reported near Molokaʻi’s Manawainui Bridge on Tuesday appears to have been sparked by a high voltage power line. Maui fire officials say the line had been severed and fell to the ground.
"A Hawaii County firefighter douses a brush fire off Highway 190 near mile marker 18 Friday afternoon." Laura Ruminski / West Hawaii Today
Mahalo to the good Samaritan who put out the first fire -- keeping a fire extinguisher in your vehicle is highly recommended.
The Hawaii Police Department said it is investigating the fires and thinks fireworks started the blazes.
Anyone with information or who might have witnessed the fires being started is urged to call Detective Carrie Akina at 326-4646, ext. 277.
From the Source:
Fireworks appear to have sparked three brush fires reported within an hour Friday that forced a road closure on Highway 190 near Puuanahulu.
The blazes were ignited at mile markers 18, 21 and 26, starting shortly after 11 a.m., according to Hawaii Fire Department officials.
The first was put out by Stafford Lombard, who was driving by on his way to Hilo.
Fire officials say Lombard got out of his car and used a fire extinguisher. The driver of a cement mixer truck stopped to assist and smothered the remaining flames with a hose. Firefighters came and mopped up.
The brushfire occurred near Asing Community Park in Ewa Beach
From the Source:
Firefighters responded to a brush fire in Ewa Beach on Saturday afternoon.
About 10 acres have been scorched by the blaze near Asing Community Park off Renton Road, according to officials. Firefighters arrived on the scene around 12:34 p.m. and were able to fully contain the flames at 9:50 p.m.
"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.
Credit: KITV4
Last year, a string of brushfires threatened communities in Kamilonui Valley and Mariner's Cove spurring them to work with HWMO on becoming one of the first Firewise Communities on Oahu. This year, they may see more fires like this one again, but a group of residents and community leaders are taking action to spread awareness and reduce the fire risk. On June 23, the Firewise committee in Kamilonui-Mariner's Cove will hold a work day to remove flammable vegetation from along bordering wildland areas.
From the Source:
"A brush fire broke out in the Honokai Hale area Wednesday morning, the fire has since been extinguished.
Though the impact the fire had on traffic was brutal. All westbound lanes were closed on Farrington Highway at La'aloa Street."
“Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization's Pablo Beimler, right explains the effects of wildfires to Connections Public Charter School students Friday at Pohakuloa Training Area's Earth Day. (Laura Ruminski/West Hawaii Today)”
From the Source:
All students from all schools, as well as the general public, were invited to the military training area for the opportunity to see how PTA cares for the multitude of resources within the 210-square-mile area, he said.
“We want to educate people on what we do take care of the resources,” he said.
According to Marquez, the Army’s contracted Natural and Cultural Resources Program has more than 40 staffers who monitor 26 threatened and endangered species and more than 1,200 cultural sites.
In addition to PTA’s stations, about a dozen local businesses and organizations — including Bike Works, Blue Planet Research, W.M. Keck Observatory and Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization — took part.
"Volunteers remove invasive plants at summit of Haleakalā." Credit: Haleakalā NP.
Aloha friends visiting or living in Maui, here is a great way to care for the ʻāina with our friends from the National Park Service and the Pacific Whale Foundation, while also reducing the wildfire risk in Haleakalā.
From the Source:
The next Waele ma Haleakalā will occur this Saturday, April 7, 2018. Since April of last year, Waele ma Haleakalā volunteers have pulled 6,342 invasive pines and almost 2,500 invasive plants.
Volunteers will physically remove young pine trees and other small invasive plants from the Summit District. Transportation, training, hand tools, gloves, and other equipment will be provided. Please sign up by 7:30 a.m. on Friday, April 6, 2018, by contacting the Pacific Whale Foundation at (808) 249-8811. Space is limited to 11 volunteers.
"Dedicated Makai Watch Volunteer James Heacock (clipboard) has been doing surveys for 10 years. Here, he surveys the coast with fisherman Kawika Auld." Photo courtesy of Christine Shepard
What does it take to protect an entire watershed? Collaboration, collaboration, collaboration. Great feature in Ke Ola Magazine highlighting South Kohala Coastal Partnership efforts - we are proud to be a part of such a solid partnership!
From the Source:
The South Kohala Coastal Partnership is composed of over 70 participants including 30 state and local experts such as biologists, kūpuna, cultural practitioners, teachers, fishermen, coastal business owners, land managers, resort representatives, and more. Together they tackle everything from land-based sources of pollution, to unsustainable fishing practices, to invasive species. Community participation has provided essential people-power for data collection and projects supporting this work.
The reefs located at the bottom of Kohala Mountain reflect what happens at higher elevations. Over the centuries, events such as the historic harvest of sandalwood, the introduction of species like goats, overgrazing by cattle, fires, and floods have converted much of the once-forested mountain into grassland and denuded landscapes. Without roots, ferns, and mosses to catch and hold the heavy rains, acres of bare soil wash downstream. This erosion buries corals in sediment and reduces the reef’s once-rich diversity of fish and invertebrates. Did you know that each grain of sediment can be re-suspended 10,000 times by waves, blocking light and re-smothering coral over and over? Agencies like The Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization and The Kohala Center are working in partnership with landowners and ranchers to reduce this impact up-slope.
Officer Conrad Bidal (L) Firefighter/EMT Kainoa Willey (R). Credit: Hawaii 24/7
Kainoa is also an amazing musician - he and our project assistant, Tom Loomis, played hours of sweet tunes for our Denny's Fundraiser in 2015! Congratulations Firefighter Willey and Officer Bidal from all of us at Hawaii Wildfire.
From the Source:
Firefighter Willey is honored for his outstanding work as a Firefighter/EMT in West Hawaiʻi, but what sets him apart is his initiative in volunteering for several community projects sponsored by the Hawaiʻi Fire Department including spearheading numerous fundraising efforts for Fire Department Personnel in need of financial assistance due to illness, injury, or traumatic events.
Mahalo to Big Island Now and West Hawaii Today for publishing information on our upcoming Hawaii Wildfire Summit.
From the Source:
Since wildfires are such a wide-spanning issue that affect communities, lands, and waters, the solutions require everyone playing a proactive role. The Hawai‘i Wildfire Summit is a unique opportunity to learn, share, and collaborate with others who deal with wildfire in their work and communities across Hawai‘i and the Pacific.
This year’s theme is “Collaborating Across Hawaii and the Pacific for Summit to Sea Wildfire Protection.”
Presentations and workshops that one would otherwise have to attend on the mainland U.S. will also be a highlight of the event, offering a local option to connect to national-level programs, research and trainings.
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.
"Hawaii Fire Department quickly extinguished three brush fires along Waikoloa Road and Route 190 Monday morning. Police believe the fires to be suspicious." Credit: Judy Wilder / West Hawaii Today
"The first fire occurred on Route 190 near mile marker 12. according to the release, fire personnel were able to quickly extinguish it. The flames consumed approximately 1,000 square feet.
The second brush fire was discovered on the south side of Waikoloa Road near mile marker 10, which crews quickly extinguished. About a 50-foot area was burned.
The last blaze discovered was also on the south side of Waikoloa Road near Uluwehi Street. It destroyed approximately 1,000 square feet."
"Anyone who witnessed the cause of the fires or with information about the blazes is asked to contact Det. Carrie Akina, via email at Carrie.Akina@hawaiicounty.gov, or call at 326-4646 ext. 277.
The department also encourages community members to be aware of the recent fires, especially in the areas of Waikoloa Road and Route 190, and to report any suspicious activity in the area immediately to police at 935-3311."
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of protection.””
