Kaʻu News Brief - Wildfire Prevention Planning

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From the Source:

"Wildfire prevention planning moved to Ocean View Community Center last night where the Hawai`i Wildfire Management Organization met with residents, asking for input to update the Ka`u Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The team is taking suggestions by mail and email.

 Residents and firefighters talked about only one fire hydrant serving all of Ocean View and noted the plan for a new well, which would allow for numerous hydrants. A dip tank for helicopter water drops and a 3,000 gallon water tank assigned to firefighting were suggested. Homeowners talked about fittings that could connect their catchment and holding tanks with fire fighting equipment. How to manage home water tanks for fire protection was mentioned."

Kihei Cane Burn Part of HC&S Annual Harvest

This is a good time to practice the "Set" portion of your Ready, Set, Go! Hawaii Wildland Fire Action Guide. Pay attention to your surroundings including any sudden changes in wind. Even if it is a "controlled" burn, the best is to be prepared for the worst case scenario. You can access updates via text, email or online at HCSugar.com.

From the Source: 

"Several residents sent in photos this morning of a scheduled cane fire in South Maui.

The plume of smoke from the fire could be seen from Māʻalaea Harbor with light winds carrying the smoke skyward.

According to notifications from Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company, the fire was a scheduled burn that began at 6 a.m., and was to conclude 10 a.m. above Hawaiian Cement near Kīhei.

The burn is part of the company’s 142nd harvest that began in mid-March."

Above: "Oct. 27, 2014, 6:15 a.m. from Māʻalaea Harbor toward Kīhei. Courtesy Steve Butler aboard the Mahana Naiʻa." 

Hawaii Island Community Wildfire Protection Plan Meetings

Community Wildfire Protection Plan update meetings for the Big Island made it onto the front page of Hawaii 24/7:

From the Source: 

"Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization will hold community input meetings to update four Hawaii County Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) for Volcano, Ka‘u, Ocean View, and South Kona communities.

Community input is critical to the CWPP process to determine priority wildfire concerns, needs, and action steps to better prepare and protect fire-prone areas from wildfires.

The CWPP update meetings will identify and prioritize projects to reduce the threat of wildfire to these communities."Community input is critical to the CWPP process to determine priority wildfire concerns, needs, and action steps to better prepare and protect fire-prone areas from wildfires."

Above: "Punaluu Brush Fire" Credit - Hawaii 24/7

Lecture Will Focus on Wildfires

Check out tomorrow's lecture from a collaborator of ours: Dr. Clay Trauernicht, wildfire extension specialist with University of Hawaii, Cooperative Extension and co-coordinator of Pacific Fire Exchange.

From the Source: 

"National Tropical Botanical Garden and Kauai Community College present the second autumn lecture in the collaborative series “Plants for our Planet” 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 21 at Kauai Community College cafeteria

Dr. Clay Trauernicht, a specialist in fire management with the cooperative extension program in the college of tropical agriculture and human resources at the University of Hawaii, will talk about the role of fire in environmental management."

VIDEO: Runaway Brush Fire Near Lava Flow Contained

From the Source: 

"Civil Defense message issued at 5:30 p.m. on Monday evening, with video of a fire chopper picking up water at the end of Kauakahi Place between Ainaloa and Pahoa for a drop on a runaway brushfire." 

Uploaded by Big Island Video News on 2014-10-07.

Above: "Photo of lava flow and brushfire taken Oct. 6 by Ena Media Hawaii / Paradise Helicopter. Residents of Ainaloa, Orchidland, Kea’au, even all the way up to Hilo, could smell the smoke, and in some cases, could feel the ash, for much of the day." Credit - Paradise Helicopters

Airspace Over Flow Restricted; Lava Sparks Brush Fire as it Continues Advance

Hawaii Wildfire is on the verge of creating new fuelbreaks on the west side of the Big Island and plans to continue gathering additional funds for fuelbreaks across the state.

Fuelbreaks help slow down the spread of wildfires, but more importantly, they provide greater access for firefighters to contain, control and suppress a wildfire. Case and point with this recent wildfire sparked by the June 27 lava flow:

From the Source: 

"The June 27 lava flow sparked a brush fire as it continued its progress toward Pahoa on Monday.

Meanwhile, Civil Defense officials, in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration, have restricted the airspace above the leading edge of the flow in response to increased traffic of sightseers and media personnel.

Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira told reporters Monday afternoon there did not appear to be any threat to surrounding neighborhoods as a result of the runaway brush fire.

'It burned about 150 acres, it’s slowly moving in the north direction towards Ainaloa,' he said. 'But, we’ve already cut firebreaks in that area, and the fire department is on the scene with offroad vehicles watching the firebreak, just making sure we don’t have any embers jump across. There’s no threat to any communities.'

Located on the west, or mauka, side of Highway 130 between Pahoa and Ainaloa, the fire has been boxed in by firebreaks and is not anticipated to threaten any homes or businesses. However, the smoke generated by the fire could increase downwind or to the north of the fire in the areas of Ainaloa and Hawaiian Paradise Park, according to a county press release."

"The Hawaii Department of Health advises residents dependent on medical services, treatment, or supplies and who live in communities that may be cut off by the advancing lava flow to relocate outside the affected area to ensure continued access to necessary medical support. If the lava flow crosses Highway 130, medical services and supplies will be severely limited and emergency medical service response time may be significantly delayed."

Above: Credit - Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

Fire Prevention Week Highlights Importance of Smoke Alarms (VIDEO)

Honolulu Fire Department offers great advice on what you should do with your smoke alarms (visit http://www.usalarm.com/home-security-topics/home-to-be-fire-safe.html for more information):

From the Source: 

"Changing out the alarm's batteries is just one of many tips students painted on a total of 48 murals now on display at every Oahu fire station.  Fire officials say it's a strategic move to help spread the word.

'Not only do the children learn about fire safety, they come home and bring that education to their parents as well,' said Capt. David Jenkins.

Their tip for all households -- to maintain smoke alarms by regularly vacuuming or dusting them.  Press that test button monthly and change the alarm's batteries every year."

"It's a common misconception to put fire alarms in kitchens.  Firefighters say ordinary cooking can set them off causing people to take them down altogether.  Their suggestion -- put them where you sleep.

"We should have smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside the sleeping area and we should have one on every floor of the building," said Capt. Jenkins.

Fire officials also suggest that homeowners change out their alarms every 10 years.  They say the alarm's electronics can wear out over time."

Above: Screen Capture from KITV4