Waahila Ridge reopens after stubborn brush fire extinguished

The Waahila Ridge State Recreation Area has reopened today after firefighters and state crews extinguished a two-acre brush fire.

Dan Dennison, spokesman for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, said crews of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife are continuing to patrol the area to check for any flare-ups or hot spots.

Meanwhile, the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement has opened a criminal investigation into the origin of the Waahila Ridge fire, which began early Wednesday morning.

According to a DLNR news release, the fire occurred in an upper area of the Waahila Ridge State Recreation Area between the water tank and the top pavilion, an area mostly populated by Norfolk pine, strawberry guava and ironwood trees.

The Honolulu Fire Department and state forestry crews used hand tools and water to extinguish smoldering in accumulated leaf litter, the DLNR said.

“Fires in Hawaii are often a human-caused phenomenon,” Rob Hauff, state protection forester, said in the news release. “Even with the recent wet weather Oahu has experienced, it is still possible for someone to set a fire. We remind the public to be cautious and to immediately report any fire to emergency responders.”