KOKE‘E — A brush fire, which scorched an estimated 300 acres near Waimea Canyon Drive, was approximately 60 percent contained as of 3:20 p.m. on Thursday, the Kaua‘i Fire Department (KFD) said.
KOKE‘E — A brush fire, which scorched an estimated 300 acres near Waimea Canyon Drive, was approximately 60 percent contained as of 3:20 p.m. on Thursday, the Kaua‘i Fire Department (KFD) said.
The blaze, which was reported shortly after 2:50 a.m. on Thursday, forced the closure of Waimea Canyon Drive between mile marker 2 to the junction at Koke‘e Road.
“We are thankful to our fire crews and partners who continue to respond to this large brush fire,” said KFD Chief Michael Gibson in a statement.
“Although the blaze is not yet contained, fire breaks in the area maintained by (the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Division of Forestry and Wildlife) … and private landowners have greatly reduced the spread of the fire.)
Personnel from the Waimea and Hanapepe fire stations are at the scene, along with an on-duty battalion chief, Kaua‘i Police Department personnel and firefighters with the Pacific Missile Range Facility also responded to the scene.
“Air 1, Air 2 and private helicopters continue to drop water on an estimated 1,200-acre brush fire on the mauka side near Waimea Canyon Drive in Koke‘e,” the KFD said.
Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency personnel are also on scene to monitor the situation and support other agencies.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the KFD Fire Prevention Bureau. No injuries have been reported, and no homes or structures are under any threat at this moment. Motorists and visitors are advised to steer clear of the area.
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story stated the fire consumed 1,200 acres. The Kaua‘i Fire Department and Department of Land and Natural Resources have since revised that figure to 300 acres. The agencies said limited visibility due to darkness and smoke made it difficult to assess the extent of the fire before daylight on Thursday.
