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Kalihi brush fire 95% contained, fire officials say

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Video by Cindy Ellen Russell / crussell@staradvertiser.com
Honolulu Fire Department personnel are fighting a brush fire above Kalihi Valley Homes this afternoon.
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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM

Honolulu Fire Department personnel are fighting a brush fire above Kalihi Valley Homes, 2188 Kalena Drive, this afternoon.

A brush fire above Kalihi Valley Homes Sunday morning burned about 15 acres by nightfall but did not reach residences, according to Honolulu firefighters.

No injuries were reported and no evacuations ordered, said Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Scot Seguirant.

The blaze, first reported around noon, was 95% contained by 8 p.m., he said.

“Early on we had crews stationed near the homes to make sure the fire didn’t get close to the buildings. Once that was under control it was about going up the really steep terrain,” Seguirant said, adding that making sure the fire did not reach the residences was firefighters’ priority.

He said that the steep terrain surrounding the area presented a challenge to firefighters on the ground and fire officials ordered water drops from HFD’s Air 1 helicopter.

Fourteen HFD units with 46 personnel responded to the scene.

At around 7 p.m., the fire moved up the ridge and over to the Fort Shafter side, at which point federal firefighters assisted in containing the blaze, Seguirant said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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