Mililani Mauka fire burns 800 acres but no threat to lives, property
COURTESY HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT
A drone captures an aerial view of the Mililani Mauka wildfire at 6:45 a.m. today.
COURTESY CYNTHIA MCARTHUR
Smoke rises into the air as firefighters battle the Mililani Mauka fire.
UPDATE
The Honolulu Fire Department will resume its fight Thursday against a remote wildfire above Mililani Mauka that has consumed about 800 acres and is 30% contained.
The fire has sent smoke and ash to parts of West and Central Oahu, including Mililani and Waipahu, but does not threaten any lives or property, HFD said.
“The main portion of the fire is moving east, with the head of the fire approximately three miles from the Mililani Mauka community,” HFD said in an update Wednesday night. HFD’s drone team was on fire watch after sundown and will do air reconnaissance starting at 7 a.m.Thursday, officials said.
“Air monitoring was not requested today since the smoke is blowing east, away from the Mililani Mauka community, and dissipating,” HFD said.
HFD recommends anyone who may be affected by the smoke to shelter in place or a place with air conditioning. Anyone who is having difficulty breathing should call 911.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
The Honolulu Fire Department resumed its battle at 6:41 a.m. Wednesday against the wildland fire above Mililani Mauka after suspending operations overnight.
The fire continues to burn in a remote, mountainous area, but has slowed significantly.
As of 7 a.m., it has burned an estimated 710 acres, up slightly from the 700 acres announced Tuesday evening. HFD said the fire remains about 30% contained.
The main portion of the active fire continues to move east, further away from the Mililani Mauka community.
Multiple agencies continued to battle the fire with water air drops, using two HFD helicopters, one U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter, two U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook aircraft and one DOFAW helicopter.
DOFAW ground crews will assess the area at the west end of the fire while HFD begins its investigation into the cause of the fire.
HFD reminds the public that the outdoor warning sirens and emergency alert system will be running their monthly test at 11:45 a.m. today.
No injuries have been reported from the fire. No structures or homes have been threatened, and no evacuations have been ordered at this time.
