40-acre brush fire extinguished in Anahola

ANAHOLA — Firefighters extinguished a brush fire that broke out in Anahola Monday morning.

No injuries were reported and no homes were threatened despite the fire’s close proximity to a subdivision owned by the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

At approximately 10:35 a.m., personnel from the Kaiakea fire station and Kaua‘i Police Department were dispatched to a brush fire along Kukuihale Road at Pilipoli Road.

Both roads were closed from 10:30 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. as crews responded.

Due to high winds and the rapid spread of the fire, two Kaua‘i Fire Department helicopters, and firefighters and equipment from the Princeville, Kapa‘a, Lihu‘e and Waimea stations, the battalion chief and Kaiwa Construction assisted with the blaze.

Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control and prevent it from spreading up Pilipoli Road towards the residential neighborhood.

Some firefighters proceeded to extinguish the Kilauea side of the fire perimeter, while others helped extinguish the perimeter of the fire. The helicopters provided water air drops.

A bulldozer from Kaiwa Construction Inc. was used to create a fire break around the fire, and roadway access for hotspot extinguishment.

Approximately 40 acres of brush and numerous abandoned cars were involved in this fire. The bulldozer was in use until 4:30 p.m., and crews left the scene shortly after. The cause of the fire is not yet known and remains under investigation.