Ask the Mayor: Can More Fire Stations be Built in Central Maui?

Credit: Wendy Osher/Maui Now

The Mayor has spoken. What are your thoughts?

From the Source: 

"Q: Are there any plans to build additional fire stations in the Central Valley? I read that it took the engine from Wailuku 12 minutes to respond to the brush fire in Mā‘alaea last week. One can assume that it took other responding engines even longer to arrive given the distances involved. Granted, it was just a brush fire this time, but 12 minutes is an eternity when someone’s life or property are in danger.

There are several newer housing developments all around old Maui Lani, where I live. I think the amount of fire protection provided is inadequate."

Vehicle Accident Ignites Brush at Launiupoko

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Lahaina, West Maui (Credit Maui Now)

Launiupoko in West Maui experienced a brush-up with a wildfire started by a vehicle fire on Saturday. The fire quickly spread from the road towards homes, coming within 200 feet of one of the structures. You never know when the next accident that sparks an ignition will be - best to be prepared at all times. Do you have an evacuation plan and two ways out of every room? Do you keep your emergency supply kit near your entrance/exit to your home?

From the Source:

"A single-vehicle collision on Punakea Loop in West Maui sparked a brush fire that threatened homes in Launiupoko on Saturday afternoon, Jan.30, 2016, fire officials said.

Maui Fire Services Chief Edward Taomoto said the fire threatened two homes above the accident and came within 200 feet of one of the structures.  According to FSC Taomoto, the two occupants escaped with minor injuries."

Oahu Hit Hard By Wildfires, Study Finds

Drs. Clay Trauernicht and Creighton Litton (both at University of Hawaii, CTAHR) gave excellent interviews regarding wildfires in Hawaii and the threats they pose on people and landscapes. Honolulu Star-Advertiser placed the story front and center on their Sunday paper and Hawaii Public Radio filled the airwaves about the scale and scope of Hawaii’s wildfire issues— information likely new to much of their audiences.  

In addition to Trauernicht and Litton of UH CTAHR, Elizabeth Pickett of HWMO was a co-author, along with Christian Giardina and Susan Cordell of the US Forest Service, and Andrew Beavers at the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands at Colorado State University. HWMO created the database and fire history map that was the foundation of the research.  The research article can be found here:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283685661_The_Contemporary_Scale_and_Context_of_Wildfire_in_Hawai'i_1

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"Firefighters battled a brush fire in upper Makakilo in August 2014. Authorities later determined that the fire was started by two boys playing with a lighter." (Krystle Marcellus/Honolulu Star Advertiser)

From the Source:

"'People don’t typically think of wildfire as a frequent disturbance on tropical islands,' said Trauernicht in a UH release Friday.

But between 2005 and 2011, there were about 1,007 wildfires statewide that burned an average of about 20,000 acres, the researchers found.

A 108-year history showed a more-than-fourfold increase in acreage burned annually statewide, they found."

"'Oahu is off the charts,' he said, adding that Maui averaged about 200 wildfires annually."

"Observers say in Hawaii, more homes being built near open brush land sometimes force firefighters to place themselves dangerously between the fires and houses."

Brush Fire Near Windfarm in Maalaea Burns 80 Acres

"Fire in Maalaea, Jan. 21, 2016. Photo credit: Melinda Harrigan Fasel"

Over 5 years ago, a large brushfire burned in the same area as the newest Maalaea fire, which burned over 80 acres and shut down Honoapiilani Highway. This is a prime example of an area riddled with the fire cycle issue: constant growth of invasives plus frequent ignitions leading to wildfires and thus new growth of invasives and the cycle continues.

From the Source:

"The fire started on the mauka side of Honoapiilani Highway, a quarter mile to the south of Maalaea Harbor.

Fire was burning towards the Kaheawa Wind farm but has not reached it yet.

Ground crews have no way to get to the fire because of steep mountainous terrain and no road access, so the fire is being fought with water drops from two helicopters."

CTAHR Researchers Construct 108-Year Wildfire History Impacting Hawaiian Islands

"Flames move uphill in Oahu wildfire." Credit: PFX

Our partners from UH CTAHR, Drs. Clay Trauernicht and Creighton Litton are developing some fascinating research regarding 108-years of wildfire history in Hawaii. 

From the Source:

"In a paper published in Pacific Science, Trauernicht, Litton and collaborators drew on multiple sources to construct a 108-year fire history that demonstrates a more-than-fourfold increase in the area burned annually statewide in recent decades. Within the past decade, the state has experienced an average of more than 1,000 fires burning over 20,000 acres each year. Relative to total land area, the percentage of Hawai‘i that burned annually from 2005 to 2011 was comparable to, and in some years exceeded, that of the western United States."

"'Given the increasing threat of wildfire to communities and resources, and its disregard for property lines, wildfire management provides an opportunity to bring together diverse interests and stakeholders to work towards a common goal,” said Trauernicht.'"

Firefighters Battle 200-Acre Brush Fire Near HCC - Palamanui

"Firefighters are battling a brush fire in the vicinity of Hawaii Community College — Palamanui. (Graham Milldrum/West Hawaii Today)"

Hawaii Community College at Palamanui had a recent wildfire scare and took the right precaution of evacuating early and advising the public to avoid the area. Thanks to efforts by our firefighting partners, the blaze was kept away from important resources. Another close call, but this is only the beginning of what will be a very busy El Nino-driven wildfire period. 

From the Source:

"The blaze was roughly arrowhead-shaped, with the point headed toward the mauka forested area. The sides expanded slowly, often burning against the wind. With the plan reliant on the bulldozers and helicopters, the firefighters were largely limited to monitoring the blaze.

The fire was almost exclusively fed by fountaingrass, some of which effectively cylinders of vegetation four feet tall and four feet across. The fire could be seen jumping from bush to bush as it advanced."

Crews Battle Brush Fire in Laupahoehoe

"COLIN M. STEWART/Tribune-Herald A Hawaii County rescue helicopter returns after making several water drops above the wildfire in Laupahoehoe Tuesday afternoon."

The Hamakua coastline is not typically known for its wildfire issues. However, during times of drought, which we are currently entering into due to El Niño, wet areas can burn. This might be a telling sign of things to come. Even if you live in a typically wet area, it's best to prepare for wildfires now rather than when it's too late. Find out more about resources that will help you prepare.

From the Source:

"Located in the mauka areas near the ends of Spencer Road and Kihalani Homestead Road, the fire had charred large patches of the hillside and appeared at one point to approach at least one home at the top of the hill near the end of Spencer Road, the source said. The firefighters managed to knock the blaze in that area down, however, using a pair of fire engines and a county helicopter outfitted with a large water bucket.

The helicopter was seen making its way down to a livestock pond in the area several times to refill the bucket and return to drop it on hot spots on the hillside."

"A four-wheel drive road between Kihalani Homestead Road and Spencer Road appeared to have acted as a natural fire break in a few spots, with areas mauka of the road burned black and smoldering, while makai fields appeared to remain untouched."

Fire Engine Donated to Hawaii CC Fire Science Students

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"Hawai’i Community College Fire Science students and instructors from the Fire Science and Diesel Mechanics programs stand with the fire engine, donated recently by the Honolulu Fire Department. Back row: Matthew Winters, left, and Jacob Smith. Front row, left to right: Fire Science Instructor Jack Minassian, Kawai Ronia, Jayce Ah Heong, Michael Rangasan, and Diesel Mechanics Instructor Mitchell Soares. Hawai’i CC courtesy photo." (Credit: Big Island Now)

Congratulations to Jack Minassian, a long-time partner of HWMO, and all involved with the Fire Science program at Hawaii Community College. Thanks to Honolulu Fire Department donations, the Fire Science program will be able to provide hands-on learning experience for its students "as they prepare to enter the workforce." It's great to watch this program really grow every year!

From the Source:

“'This fire engine will be a great teaching tool,' said Hawai’i CC Fire Science Instructor ­Jack Minassian. 'For example, students in the fire hydraulics class will be able to practice providing proper water pressure and proper gallons per minute on a fire while using real equipment.'

Graduates of Hawai’i CC’s Fire Science program have been employed within federal, state, and local fire service agencies, according to Minassian."