West Maui Crews Respond to Three Brush Fires Within an Hour

There's a reason why West Maui was the first area in Maui that we covered with a Community Wildfire Protection Plan: it's the most fire-prone region of the County. 

Mahalo to Maui Fire Department for their hard work in keeping three simultaneous brush fires contained!

From the Source: 

"Maui firefighters were busy Thursday after receiving calls for three separate brush fires within an hour in West Maui.

At 10:50 a.m., fire crews responded to multiple reports of a brush fire on Kai Hele Ku Street in Launiupoko. A Lahaina ladder crew arrived at 11 a.m. and was able to contain a grass fire found burning on the north side of Kai Hele Ku Street, just below the roundabout at Haniu Street. The fire burned just over one acre of grass."

Brush Fire Scorches 200 Acres of Parker Ranch

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"A Hawaii County Fire Helicopter makes a water drop on a brush fire in Parker Ranch on Friday afternoon. Laura Shimabuku/West Hawaii Today"

Difficult terrain made this wildfire a difficult one to put out, especially with limited water resources in the area. The fire also started on the same day Mauna Kea had snow on its peak and nearby Waimea town was shrouded in misty cloud cover. Goes to show that wildfires can occur even when least expected, a reminder to always stay vigilant.

From the Source:

"The fire on Parker Ranch Land, sparked late Friday afternoon, was 80 percent contained in an area of grass and brush by mid-afternoon, Battalion Chief Ty Medeiros said. A helicopter began making water drops on the fire Friday afternoon, and bucket drops continued Saturday, drawing from frog ponds set up using water lines from the ranch." - West Hawaii Today

From the Source:

"HFD personnel have had some trouble accessing some portions of the fire because of the terrain, with features like deep gulches and ravines, but Farias said that they have been able to set up a fire break around the perimeter of the blaze." - Big Island Now

Lihue Airport Operations Return to Normal After Brush Fire

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Credit: Honolulu Star Advertiser

Yet another thing wildfire can impact: your next flight due to heavy smoke.

From the Source:

"At least three flights heading to Kauai were diverted to Oahu on Saturday because of heavy smoke from a brush fire behind Lihue Airport.

The brush fire began about 8:20 a.m. and was brought under control about 1:20 p.m., a Kauai spokeswoman said."

Scientists Prove Goats Are Better Than Chemical Weedkillers

Credit - Rodale Wellness

We just completed a pilot project in Waikoloa Village in conjunction with the Waikoloa Village Association to remove hazardous fuels from within village vacant lots using...goats. Here's why we think controlled grazing with goats is an excellent option to reduce wildfire hazards within communities. 

From the Source:

"Not only are goats less toxic (obviously), but they're also much more affordable than chemical sprays...

The marshes aren't polluted with toxins, the farmers get a new source of income by renting out their livestock (and the goats get a free meal), and the land managers get a cheap fix for the issue. Plus, with a cheap, effective, and safe solution, the problems caused by the grasses can be solved quickly, allowing everyone to enjoy the beautiful beach views again."

Strong El Nino Blamed for Dry Winter Forecast

"Tropical Depression 6E, which formed in the Eastern Pacific over the weekend, was captured in an image at 7 p.m. Sunday by the GOES-15 geostationary satellite. Hawaii is in the upper left corner of the image. Tropical cyclone activity usually increases in El Nino years such as 2015." Credit - Honolulu Star-Advertiser

A strong El Nino can mean a variety of things for Hawaii: more storms, a dry winter, and potential for landslides (especially in areas affected by wildfire).

From the Source:

"'We're not just talking about leeward drought,' said Kevin Kodama, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service office in Hono­lulu. 'It will probably manifest itself in windward areas as well. The expectation is that there will be pretty significant drought.'

"While there is a greater chance of storms during the June-through-November hurricane season, El Nino will likely steer most rain in the winter-to-spring rainy season away from the islands.

For farmers, ranchers and homeowners who like to keep their lawns green, a strong El Nino could mean cutbacks next year.

'The chance of drought goes up, the stronger the El Nino is,' Kodama said."

"Storms could, however, also cause landslides in areas recently hit by wildfires."

Fires Surge: Some 225 Brush Fires Have Burned On Oahu So Far This Year

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Front page of Honolulu Star Advertiser on July 9, 2015.

We are featured in the front page headline for the Honolulu Star Advertiser this morning!

From the Source:

"Residents can help prevent and prepare for brush fires by removing flammable materials within 30 feet of homes, pruning trees so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground, and creating and practicing a family evacuation plan, according to HFD.

Pablo Beimler, education and outreach coordinator of the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, said tossing cigarette butts on the ground or the heat from a car parked near or on top of dry grass could trigger a fire. He said the organization found a correlation between population growth and an increase in brush fires.

The organization hopes to ramp up its outreach efforts, particularly in Waianae, which is typically dry, to engage residents about brush fire prevention and preparation through community action programs, he said.

'The big help is that a lot of the events (brush fires) are actually preventable,' Beimler said. 'We work with kids a lot. We think it’s a good way to start in terms of getting prevention methods out there.'

According to the organization, communities on Oahu especially at risk from brush fires include the Leeward Coast area. HFD data show that from January of last year, more than 100 occurred in Waianae, about 50 in Kapolei and nearly 40 in Waipahu."

Winds Keep Brush Fire Away From Nanakuli Homes (VIDEO)

Credit - Hawaii News Now

Quite fortunate in this case that winds were the saving grace; usually with wildfires, it's the other way around. Close calls, no matter how fortunate, should always be calls to action rather than inaction. It's also very important to stay vigilant of your surroundings, especially during peak season. Some Nanakuli residents had to be alerted by emergency personnel that there was a fire close to their home.

From the Source:

"Some residents were unaware that it had started until authorities went door to door.

Arnell Harris said a police officer came to her home and asked, 'Did you know there's a fire behind you? We didn't know. So all of us just ran outside.'

'It came within probably about 75 feet from a couple of the houses,' said Honolulu Fire Department Battalion Chief Paul Miguel. 'We were able to get up on both sides, the makai and mauka sides of the fire, kinda hold it in place. And that point it went over the ridge.'"

Fourth of July a Busy Day for Maui County Fire Crews

"A brush fire near Piilani Highway and Moi Place in Kihei on Sat."

A standing ovation for our firefighters is in order! Mahalo to Maui Fire for ensuring things didn't get out of hand during an insanely busy period.

From the Source:

"Maui County firefighters responded to more than 10 fire calls, including brush fires, an unscheduled cane fire and a structure fire on Saturday, fire officials said Sunday.

No injuries were reported in any of the incidents, although in at least four brush fire calls, children were seen playing with fireworks prior to the fires beginning, fire officials said."

Waikoloa Breeze July 2015 - Goat Dozing and Future of WVA Owned Lands; Pohinahina

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We're featured in the Waikoloa Breeze's General Manager Report for July 2015. GM Roger Wehrsig of Waikoloa Village Association recaps our latest project clearing portions of association-owned lands within the Village using "goat-dozers." 

Also, check out our "Native Firewise Plant of the Month" section highlighting Pohinahina, a great Firewise ground-cover that also acts as a soil stabilizer and grows quite quickly in dry areas.

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Brushfire Scorches 75 Acres at Edge of Subdivisions in Kona

"Homeowners keep an eye on the brush fire south of Kaiminani Dr. on Saturday. Laura Shimabuku/West Hawaii Today"

Residents in Kona's holiday was dampened by an afternoon brush fire that took a community effort to help put out. Access to wildland areas can be a real difficulty on the windy, steep roads on the mauka side of Kona. The community can be a big help to firefighters by assisting them in whatever they say they need.

From the Source:

"Instead of enjoying the holiday, homeowners spent the afternoon inhaling smoke, soaking yards and roofs and keeping an eye on the fire as it moved mauka through open brush, leaving smoldering areas. Some residents reported packing photo albums and other personal belongings in their cars, preparing to leave if necessary.

Workers building a Wainani Street house for Neil Vieth used a Bobcat to cut a fire line and manned the south edge of the property with buckets and garden hoses.

“'As the fire went up the back wall, guys were saving houses one by one,' Ferguson said. 'It was the whole community here.'”