HONOLULU — State wildfire crews are responding today to a wildfire that started last night in the back of Waianae valley. Due to extremely strong and gusty winds, as of mid-morning today, the fire spread up into the Waianae mountains,
HONOLULU — State wildfire crews are responding today to a wildfire that started last night in the back of Waianae valley.
Due to extremely strong and gusty winds, as of mid-morning today, the fire spread up into the Waianae mountains, into the Waianae-Kai state forest reserve.
The Honolulu Fire Department was first to respond on Thursday night about 7 p.m. and is continuing to battle the fire today. The total fire burn acreage estimate is 1,000 acres.
Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife today is deploying 12 firefighters and three brush trucks with 300-gallon tank and pump units to the area. DOFAW has two contract helicopters making water drops, along with one HFD helicopter.
The lower areas of the forest reserve are steep and vegetation consists of dense dry guinea grass, haole koa and non-native species. The last major fire to burn in the upper valley area was in June 2012 when 1,200 acres burned, including 400 acres of forest reserve lands.
