Firefighters handle brush fire in Kapa‘a

KAPA‘A — A brush fire on the eastside of Kaua‘i kept firefighters busy on Tuesday afternoon, as their colleagues were wrapping up work on an estimated 1,100-acre blaze on the westside of the island.

Firefighters with the Kaiakea, Kapa‘a and Lihu‘e fire stations, as well as Tanker 1, Air 1 and Air 2 and an on-duty battalion chief were dispatched after receiving a report of a brush fire off Kapa‘a Bypass Road at approximately 12:15 p.m.

The brush fire forced the closure of Kapa‘a Bypass Road at both the north and south entrances at Kuhio Highway, while firefighters tended to the blaze.

Olohena Road, between the Ka‘apuni Road junction and Kapa‘a Bypass Road roundabout, was also closed because of the brush fire.

Firefighters were able to contain the brush fire in less than three hours, although some crews remained on scene to monitor hotspots, the Kaua‘i Fire Department said. No injuries were reported.

Kapa‘a Bypass Road and Olohena Road were reopened at approximately 3:20 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Kaua‘i Fire Department said it received support from the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, Department of Public Works, Department of Parks and Recreation and Kaua‘i Police Department.

Personnel with the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency were also on scene.

The investigation of the brush fire is ongoing.