Calmer winds help firefighters trying to contain Nanakuli blaze
Firefighters were hoping a wildfire burning in Nanakuli Valley since Thursday night would be contained today.
Honolulu Fire Department Battalion Chief Paul Miguel said the fire was about 75 percent contained by 1 p.m. and had grown to 2,500 acres. The fire was still smoldering in the back of the valley and not posing an immediate threat to homes.
Firefighting conditions improved Monday with calmer winds and some precipitation.
Three helicopters were assisting with water drops — two contracted by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and one from HFD. The helicopters made a continuous circuit filling up their buckets — the largest of about 300 gallons — from a portable water tank at Nanakuli Intermediate and High School and delivering the load to the back of the valley or up along the ridgeline.
Black, burned-out areas remained where the fire had moved from the Ko Olina side of the valley across to the Makaha side and came within a half-mile to homes.
About 20 firefighters were battling the blaze today. Some worked on top of the mountain, putting out hot spots and directing the helicopters for water drops.
Miguel said the vegetation was drier than usual for this time of year, which helped feed the fire. He said wildfires typically break out later in the summer when conditions are drier.
Hawaii is currently under a strong El Nino pattern, which could extend the winter drought through spring and possibly up to the start of the dry summer season.
But Miguel said the early fire could remove some brush for the dry season.
Throughout the operation, firefighters have been bolstered by the community’s support, Miguel added.
“The good people of Waianae came out in droves to give us food and drinks at all hours,” he said. “Big hearts out here.”
He said the kind actions from the public connects the fire department to the community and reminds the department of who they are helping.
“We just do this because this is our job,” he said. “Now we know why we do this.”
The fire has been burning uncontained since it broke out Thursday evening when it forced the evacuation of homes around Pikaiolena Street for a couple hours. No structures have been damaged.
3 responses to “Calmer winds help firefighters trying to contain Nanakuli blaze”
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Our problem on our or any island is that if there are say three or more distinct, sizable wildfires on this island we would completely overwhelm the resources available. Meaning, probably letting one burn to work on the other two. We simply lack the resources here in the state. Think about it. Just as we have limited resources of anything here: food, potable water, etc., we would be overwhelmed and our fire fighting resources drained very quickly. We are on an island.
I hope that our firefighters can get the Nanakuli fire contained as from the news it seems that terrain is very steep in places. Meanwhile, the wind dying down and the rain coming I hope can be really helpful.
A million thumbs up. We hope this is not an arson.
Why does this article OMIT the suspected cause? Does the Star-Advertiser want to be incomplete in its reporting? The editors must know that after a lifetime of “kids from Waianae” setting these fires, the immediate suspicion of most readers will be arson. WHY leave out the most important part of the story??