Part of Kauai loses power due to 1,000-acre fire

Power was cut off to Kokee, Kauai, on Saturday to protect firefighters battling a brush fire that has burned more than 1,000 acres above Kekaha.

A Kauai County spokeswoman said the fire was approaching a high-voltage power line in the area. The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative shut down power to the line, which supplies Kokee, until further notice.

Power also was cut to pumps at a nearby water storage tank. The Department of Water asked residents and businesses in Kekaha and Waimea to restrict water consumption to essential uses such as cooking, bathing and toilet flushing.

The fire, which broke out shortly after midnight Thursday near Pokii Ridge in Kokee, is not an immediate threat to structures. Still, Fire Chief Robert Westerman asked for a voluntary evacuation of Kokee.

The fire flared up again Friday and firefighters estimated Saturday it had burned more than 1,000 acres, spreading to Paua and Wai­aka ridges.

Kokee Road from the Kokee/Kekaha Road junction remained closed Saturday. Waimea Canyon Drive access was restricted to residents.

Crews from the Kauai Fire Department, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the Pacific Missile Range Facility at Barking Sands were battling the blaze, assisted by helicopters, bulldozers and private contractors.