Lava-Related Brush Fire Claims Four Homes Near Kapoho

"This photo of the western margin of the lava flow at the oceanfront was taken Sunday. The western flow margin did not advance overnight, and remained approximately 0.1 mile from the Pohoiki Boat Ramp at Isaac Hale Beach Park this morning." Credit: USGS

We are very sorry to hear about the continual loss of homes from the eruption -- this time caused by lava-related brushfires. 

From the Source:

Four houses were destroyed Saturday by a brush fire along Kilauea volcano’s lower East Rift Zone.

The houses were in the Halekamahina Road area off Highway 132 near Kapoho, according to Janet Snyder, spokeswoman for Mayor Harry Kim.

Hawaii County residents with losses as a result of the Kilauea eruptions and earthquakes have through Monday, Aug. 13, to register for disaster assistance with FEMA, which can be done at the DRC, weekdays 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Registration can also be done online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711 or Video Relay service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open 7 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week.

9 Bravo finds a permanent home: HFD 9-B Volunteer Fire Company’s new South Kohala facility nears completion

"9 Bravo’s two fire trucks are displayed outside the new building July 20 for the open house event. The facility is located between Mauna Lani and downtown Waimea. (LANDRY FULLER/SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY)"

This is huge! Congratulations to Captain Mike Shattuck, 9 Bravo and the communities that have supported efforts to boost fire response in South Kohala. Now it is time to increase safety for communities such as Kanehoa (a Firewise community since 2015) by raising more funds for a fire hydrant, security fencing, and gates. Tax deductible donations to help complete 9 Bravo’s new facility can be mailed to AOK, P.O. Box 7121, Kamuela, Hawaii 96743. Info: Call Guido Giacometti at 896-3849.

From the Source:

On July 20, local residents, firemen, county and state officials gathered at the end of Shattuck’s street for an open house of a new building that sits smack dab between the Anekona Estates and Ouli subdivisions.

One day soon it will house a bright yellow engine pumper and a 6×6 tanker, along with hoses, pumps, parts and protective gear used by Hawaii Fire Department’s (HFD) 9-B Volunteer Fire Company, more commonly known as 9 Bravo. But to do so, $25,000 will need to be raised to buy a fire hydrant, security, plumbing and electric to complete the facility...

Volunteer firefighters first banded together in 2009 to help county firemen protect South Kohala. 9 Bravo now consists of eight volunteers who are trained and dispatched by HFD to battle blazes around the island — all without pay.

The major elements of the building are now complete, but a number of items are still needed.

“A fire hydrant, security fencing, gates and other details must be finished in order to obtain an occupancy permit,” he said.

In Greece, Wildfires Kill Dozens, Driving Some Into the Sea

"People watching a wildfire raging on Monday in Rafina, east of Athens." Credit Alkis Konstantinidis / Reuters

We are devastated to hear the tragic news coming out of Greece this week. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. The stark realities of a warming planet and increasing extreme wildfire conditions are making it all the more imperative for us all to take action now to reduce climate-related risks and impacts worldwide.

From the Source:

Fast-moving wildfires near Athens have killed at least 76 people, officials said on Tuesday, and have forced thousands of tourists and residents to flee in cars and buses, on foot, aboard boats and on makeshift rafts. In desperation, some people plunged into the Aegean waters and tried to swim to safety.

Gale-force winds topping 50 miles an hour have fanned a pair of fires that tore through seaside areas popular with travelers, leaving behind a trail of charred resorts, burned-out cars and smoldering farms, and wrapping the region in a pall of smoke. Officials said that at least 187 people were injured, including 23 children.

The extreme conditions are in line with patterns that scientists attribute to climate change. Heat waves can be linked to climate change in several ways: Increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere hold more of the sun’s heat, raising temperatures globally. A hotter climate in turn changes the way air and ocean currents move around the planet, which can further increase temperatures in certain places, like the Mediterranean.

Fire sparked during RIMPAC exercises consumes 2,000 acres

From the Source:

A large brush fire near Pohakuloa Training Area was apparently sparked late Wednesday by U.S. Marine Corps helicopters participating in RIMPAC exercises, military officials said Thursday.

Flares released by the UH-1Y and AH-1Z helicopters apparently ignited grass within an environmentally protected area in the vicinity of mile marker 44, said Lt. Cmdr. Julie Holland with the RIMPAC Combined Information Bureau Media Cell.

Brush Fire Scorches 122 Acres Near Punaluu Beach Park in Kau

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.

Over $1 million: Cost of Maui Brush Fire That Moved to Destroy Two Homes

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. 

2,500 Acres Burned, Winds Fuel Fast Moving Pukalani Fire

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

Officials: Fuelbreaks ‘Without A Doubt’ Save Homes In Grand Lake Golf Course Fire

Credit: Colorado State Forest Service

Wildfire preparedness - it really works! HWMO has committed much time and resources working with community and agency partners to protect communities and natural resource areas using vegetation reduction strategies such as fuelbreaks. Check out this success story from one of the large fires in Colorado this summer.

From the Source:

Last Thursday, 300 homes were ordered to evacuate due to the 20-acre wildfire burning at the Grand Lake Golf Course in Grand Lake.

The fire came within 30 feet of some homes but no homes burned.

“The forestry work and fuels mitigation the Colorado State Forest Service has administered in the Grand Lake community without a doubt saved the Columbine subdivision,” said Chief Mike Long, Grand Lake Fire.

Vehicle Accident Sparks Brushfire in Pulehu, Maui

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.