Mililani Mauka fire remains 70% contained; red flag warning issued
COURTESY HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
The wildland fire above Mililani Mauka is seen from the air on Thursday.
The wildland fire above Mililani Mauka grew slightly overnight and remains 70% contained, according to the Honolulu Fire Department.
Fire suppression operations resumed this morning at 7:12 a.m. as the blaze continued to burn in a remote, mountainous area with steep, dangerous terrain.
Now in its sixth day, the fire has impacted about 1,300 acres of land, HFD said in a news release. The main portion of the active fire is located about four miles from the Mililani Mauka community.
One HFD helicopter, one U.S. Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter, one U.S. Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook aircraft, and one United States Fish and Wildlife Services contracted helicopter were involved in firefighting efforts today.
Additionally, the Mendocino Interagency Hotshot Crew and the Six Rivers Wildland Fire Module are building a fireline to prevent spread toward Mililani Mauka.
On the ground, two USFWS crews started work in areas near the Mililani Mauka community.
The Hawaii Department of Health’s Clean Air Branch is monitoring air quality. Anyone with inquiries can call the branch at (808) 586-4417.
No evacuations have been ordered since the fire broke out on Oct. 30.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning today that runs from 10 a.m. Sunday to 6 p.m. Monday. The Mililani Mauka Wildfire Incident Management Team is working with NWS to monitor potential impacts of threatening weather systems.
The warning covers leeward areas of all Hawaiian islands, central Oahu and, on Kauai, south shore areas including Koloa, Poipu and Mahaulepu.
The forecasts call for east winds of 15 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph. “Winds are expected to reach their peak on Monday,” forecasters said.
The warning was issued due to the combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels that can contribute to extreme fire behavior
Officials said outdoor burning is not recommended and heat from vehicle exhaust systems can ignite dry grass. Park cars on areas that are paved or where vegetation is trimmed and cleared, they said..
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For more information, visit the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization at www.hawaiiwildfire.org/home.
