Waialua brush fire prompts road closure

Firefighters this evening continued to battle a brush fire in Waialua that has scorched about 12 acres, destroyed a couple of unoccupied agricultural buildings and closed parts of Farrington Highway through the afternoon.

The fire is on the Kaena side of Kaukonahua Road near Thompson Corner. Flames got as near as 30 yards from some homes in the neighborhood surrounding Waialua High School, Honolulu Fire Capt. Terry Seelig said.

About 70 firefighters from 13 engine companies, six tankers and the HFD helicopter were called to the fire, Seelig said.

“They’re still working to establish a perimeter even though it’s 80 percent contained,” he said about 5:30 p.m.

The fire has been fast-spreading due in part to a steady wind and dry brush, Seelig said.
Police shut down Farrington Highway between Kaupe and Kaukonahua roads around noon and the road remained closed at 6 p.m. Traffic was being re-routed to Thompson Corner.

There are no reports of destruction of other personal property or injuries to residents an animals.

It is at least the third brush fire in the region in recent weeks. A similar, although much larger fire, occurred in the same section of Waialua in 2007,

No roads had been closed as of 12:05 p.m.