KOKE‘E — Kaua‘i Fire Department crews were the first to respond to a wildfire that reportedly began 8:15 a.m. Monday on state lands above Polihale Ridge in Koke‘e, according to county officials. KFD responded with multiple trucks and engines, a
KOKE‘E — Kaua‘i Fire Department crews were the first to respond to a wildfire that reportedly began 8:15 a.m. Monday on state lands above Polihale Ridge in Koke‘e, according to county officials.
KFD responded with multiple trucks and engines, a county water tender, the department’s communications vehicle and Air 1 helicopter, county spokeswoman Sarah Blane said.
The fire broke in the vicinity of Hikimoe Ridge, along the forest reserve road — a mile west of Waimea Canyon State Park and a mile north of Pu‘u Lua Reservoir, according to Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
At approximately 6 p.m., the fire had burned about three acres in the Pu‘u Ka Pele Forest Reserve, but there is no current threat to the park or to any structures, Ward said.
DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife personnel assumed the lead on fire management in the afternoon, assisted by 12 KFD firefighters who were working to lay hoses and were using hand tools to prevent the spread of the fire to the west and makai sections of the forest reserve in “very steep” terrain, according to Ward.
In addition to the county helicopter, DOFAW brought in a contract-hire helicopter to help provide water drops, Ward said.
The fire was still active at approximately 6 p.m., and was burning amid mature eucalyptus trees with ground litter and understory of native plants and trees, Ward said.
A DLNR enforcement officer is providing security for public safety.
“Summer weather will lead to more dry conditions, so we are asking the public to be fire-smart and help prevent wildfires by not making ground fires and being careful to ensure that camp stoves are correctly used,” DLNR Chair William Aila Jr. said in a release.
