HANAPEPE — A brush fire, which tore through roughly 1,100 acres in Hanapepe and Kaumakani on Monday, was 100 percent contained about 12 hours after it started, the Kaua‘i Fire Department said.
No homes were destroyed and no injuries occurred as a result of the brush fire, which was first reported shortly before noon on Monday near Moi Road in Hanapepe.
Firefighters with the Hanapepe, Kalaheo and Waimea fire stations quickly responded to the scene, as well as Tanker 1, Tanker 2, Air 1, Air 2 and the Department of Public Works. Gay and Robinson also responded with a water tanker, while a private contractor brought in a bulldozer to assist.
The Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) also responded to the scene after it received a request for mutual aid from the County of Kaua‘i. In response, the PMRF deployed two firefighting crews and one helicopter with a firefighting bucket.
But by mid-afternoon, the wind-fueled blaze gained traction, as it gobbled up brush along a ridgeline known as Hanapepe Heights.
The brush fire, which was moving west, was initially deemed to be of no threat to housing. That changed at about 2:50 p.m., when an evacuation notice was issued by the County of Kaua‘i for residents in nearby Kaumakani.
The evacuation notice, which was later lifted shortly before midnight on Monday, led to the establishment of two Red Cross evacuation centers.
As the brush fire forged on, it also created traffic tie-ups throughout the area and prompted an emergency proclamation signed by acting Governor and Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke. The emergency proclamation led to responsive action from the Hawai‘i Army National Guard.
“I’ve been on the ground on Kaua‘i since Monday night to offer my support to the County of Kaua‘i, Mayor (Derek S.K.) Kawakami, and his team as they responded to a quickly moving brush fire in Hanapepe,” said Luke in a County of Kaua‘i Facebook post on Tuesday morning.
“It was incredible to see their synergy in the EOC (Emergency Operations Center) and proactive coordination with state agencies to suppress the fire and evacuate residents.”
Kaua‘i Fire Department personnel maintained a fire watch overnight with N5 (early wildfire detection technology) sensors installed in Kaumakani and Hanapepe Heights to warn of flare-ups.
Firefighting personnel, with the assistance of partners, continued to saturate hotspots with air and ground assets on Tuesday.
While the work on the ground was crucial to getting control and containment of the blaze, the air assets deployed were also key to the firefighting effort.
“The airborne assets and Barking Sands Fire Department arrived on scene and quickly transitioned to supporting firefighting efforts,” said PMRF Commanding Officer Capt. Brett Stevenson. “Their rapid response was instrumental in Kaua‘i County emergency managers gaining containment of the fire. Overall coordination between Kaua‘i County and PMRF was impressive, and their quick reaction undoubtedly saved lives and people’s homes.”
The air assets also added to the ability to put large amounts of water on otherwise inaccessible areas of a fire.
“The rapid response by Hawai‘i Army National Guard aircraft was only possible because the command and staff at PMRF immediately committed to provide support to our air crews,” said Hawai‘i Army National Guard Commander Brigadier General Stephen Logan.
“This enabled the rapid multi-service response to prevent human suffering, mitigate great property damage, enable evacuated residents to return to their homes, and restore trafficability to road networks. It is a testament to the integration of the total joint force.”
Kaumuali‘i Highway, which had been shuttered between Lele Road in Hanapepe and Kaumakani near Aloha Sweet Delites, was reopened for two-way traffic shortly before 2:55 a.m. on Tuesday after having been closed for hours because of the brush fire.
Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, which had de-energized transmission lines in the area, said personnel completed repairs and inspections, and then restored power to customers on the westside shortly after 3 a.m. Tuesday.
And, at approximately 6 a.m. on Tuesday, the Department of Water lifted a water conservation notice, which was in effect for about 12 hours.
The all-around, multi-agency effort to combat the blaze also drew expressions of gratitude from Kawakami and Kaua‘i Fire Department Chief Michael Gibson on Tuesday afternoon.
“This fire came dangerously close to residential neighborhoods and it was only because of the efforts of our first responders and partner agencies that we were successful in protecting life and property. Our island is blessed to have a team who care deeply about the safety and well-being of our people, including our state and county emergency personnel, first responders, community partners, and our partners at PMRF (Pacific Missle Range Facility) who are always willing to assist when we are in need,” Kawakami said.
“I am incredibly grateful for everyone’s collective efforts, the assistance of acting Governor Sylvia Luke and her team, and reminded once again of the strength, generosity, and commitment of our close-knit community.”
Gibson echoed those remarks.
“Words cannot express the gratitude of our firefighters and partners who worked quickly and diligently during this wildfire incident,” he said. “Because of their quick action and tireless ongoing efforts, our community was kept safe and informed throughout this response.”
