FIRE WEATHER WATCH; MOLOKAI BLAZE STANDS AT 8,000 ACRES

By Wendy Osher

UPDATE @  3:45 P.M. Thursday, September 03, 2009

Firefighters continue to maintain their posture in fighting the 8,000 acre Molokai fire that has been burning for six days.  County Civil Defense Administrator Gen Iinuma tells us crews have been doing an exceptional job of maintaining the perimeter of the fire, but continue to monitor flare ups and conduct fire suppression efforts in the upper elevations.  The National Weather service has issued a fire weather watch in effect from Friday morning through Friday afternoon.  Breezy and gusty trades combined with warm and dry weather will create the potential for critical fire weather conditions across leeward areas.  The emergency command plans to reassess operations later this evening to determine staffing projections as the containment improves.  Containment remained at between 70 and 80% today.

MOLOKAI FIRE 70-80% CONTAINED; FLARE UP DOUSED NEAR PLUMERIA FARM

By Wendy Osher

UPDATE: 7:15 A.M. Thursday, September 03, 2009

Progress has been made on the Molokai fire that remains at between 70 and 80% containment.  The six-day old fire has burned 8,000 acres since it started on Saturday.  Four-hundred acres was scorched in the Molokai State Forest Reserve and 100 acres was burned in the Nature Conservancy where endangered species are grown.  Most of the burned area affected on the conservancy land was the pines on the perimeter, which are non-native plants.

Photo courtesy Jeff Zuckernick

Crews have discontinued their use of the Chinook helicopters from the National Guard and are back to using local air assets to battle the blaze at the upper elevations.  The focus of efforts remains monitoring of the perimeter and battling the fire in the upper elevations where the fire has proven to be persistent.

Overnight there was a flare up reported near the plumeria farm in Kalamaula, and a similar flare up in the ‘Onini Gulch on the Eastern flank of the fire.  While the Kalamaula fire was knocked out over night, firefighters had planned to focus on the ‘Onini flare up as their first point of contact this morning.

Civil Defense Administrator Gen Iinuma tells us conditions are better today with less smoke, and less visible fire activity.  Iinuma said the Red Flag Warning was canceled for today because of more moisture in the air and cloud cover during the morning.  However, that cloud cover is expected to lift later in the day and breezy trade winds are expected to continue.

Iinuma called the firefighter’s efforts to date remarkable, and credited them with their skill and tenaciousness in protecting life and property in the populated areas of Molokai.

WEATHER INCREASES FIRE DANGER: FRESH LAHAINA CREW ROTATES INTO FIREFIGHTING EFFORT

UPDATE: 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, September 02, 2009

By Wendy Osher

Firefighters now have 50% containment on a 5-day old fire on Molokai that has burned 8,000 acres since Saturday afternoon. 

Photo courtesy Jeff Zuckernick

Two TH-47 Chinook Helicopters from the National Guard are being used today to assist as crews work to get a better handle on the forestry area above Kaunakakai in an area known as the ‘Ōnini Gulch.  The choppers have been returning to Kaneohe for fueling and are now using Onealii Park as a landing zone.

County Civil Defense Administrator Gen Iinuma said crews are mindful of the reduced maneuverability of the larger helicopters.  The helicopters drop large amounts of water weighing 8 pounds per gallon into rugged terrain that is otherwise inaccessible by ground crews.

Iinuma said the idea is to saturate the forestry area to prevent the fire from jumping across and getting down into the Kawela Plantation district where there is still a significant source of un-burnt brush that could fuel the fire.

Crews continue their efforts to maintain the perimeter of the blaze near the populated Kalamaula, Kaunakakai and Kawela, and are focusing on monitoring hot spots for potential flare-ups.

Of the 8,000 acres that has burned, 400 acres was scorched in the Molokai State Forest Reserve, and 100 acres was burned in the Nature Conservancy area, posing a threat to endangered species.

There are a total of about 60 firefighter personnel on scene today including a fresh crew from the Lahaina station.  Fifteen people from the National Park Service and more than 20 wildland firefighters from the Department of Forestry and Wildlife are assisting dozens of County firefighters on the ground.

Firefighters will face some additional challenges today in terms of weather.  The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag warning for the Leeward side of all islands.  The warning means there will be a combination of strong trade winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures, increasing the fire danger to critical levels.  The warning is in effect from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The National Weather Service says little change in weather conditions is expected on Thursday, with the possibility of another day of critical fire weather conditions.

MOLOKAI BLAZE 50% CONTAINED; FIREFIGHTERS DEAL WITH DROP IN HUMIDITY

3:30 P.M. UPDATE:  Tuesday, September 01, 2009

By Wendy Osher

Firefighters continue to maintain their hold on a fire that has burned between 7,800 and 8,000 acres since it started Saturday afternoon.  The blaze is now 50% contained overall, but the upper portion of the fire in the forestry area remains active, and is not considered under containment.

Photo courtesy Jeff Zuckernick

Deputy Chief Robert Shimada said firefighters dealt with some troublesome flare-ups toward the eastern flank of the fire earlier in the day.  Batallion Chief Val Martin said the challenge today is the weather which has not been working in the department’s favor.  He noted a drop in humidity to 40 percent and an anticipated increase in winds as well.

Department officials say the focus of today’s efforts has been to maintain a perimeter around the populated areas of Kalamaula, Kauanakakai and Kawela as they work toward their main priority of protecting life and property.   There are still pockets of unburned brush in the Kawela Plantation, as well as in some abutting residential areas.

This morning, five helicopters were on scene to assist dozens of state and county crews from the Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety, the Department of Forestry and Wildlife, the National Park Service, and the Nature Conservancy.  On the ground, there are more than 62 firefighter personnel that are actively working the fire.  Two crews from Maui were rotated into the lines today to relieve fellow firefighters on the front lines.

Maui Civil Defense Administrator Gen Iinuma tells us firefighters have been active in maintaining a perimeter or buffer zone on the blaze with bulldozers to protect residents and businesses.  The department has also been using water drops in the upper forestry region to protect endangered species.  Iinuma said there are areas that are tactically back burned or intentionally left alone to manipulate the flames and control the blaze in the firefighters’ favor.

Fire officials say they do not expect the fire to increase significantly in size, but do expect to monitor areas for flare ups, and keep watch over locations that could smoulder for days or even weeks.

MOLOKAI FIRE BURNS 7,800 ACRES; 70 FIREFIGHTERS ON SCENE

UPDATED @ 4:00 P.M. MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009

More than 70 state and county firefighters are on the scene of a three day old fire on Molokai that has now burned an estimated 7,800 acres.  Crews are being assisted by 5 helicopters, 7 bulldozers, and 5 water tankers.

Photo courtesy Jeff Zuckernick

Bulldozer activity remains heavy as equipment operators place fire break lines to help prevent the fire from advancing. Firefighters are dealing with flare-ups throughout the burn areas.

“Our crews are doing an outstanding job and we truly appreciate the great support from the people and businesses of Molokai,” said Fire Chief Jeff Murray. “So many have come forward to offer whatever help they can provide including dropping off food for our firefighters and support personnel. We want them to know that we’re grateful for their generosity and can’t thank them enough,” said Murray.

The Department of Education announced this morning the closure of four schools on Molokai. Kaunakakai Elementary, Molokai Middle School, Molokai High and Kualapuu School were closed because of access conditions. According to DOE Maui Complex Superintendent Lindsay Ball, the fire has no direct threat to the school campuses, but the conditions and hazards caused by the fire in nearby areas created a situation where faculty and parents were not able to access roadways leading to the school campus. To check for Tuesday’s school closure information parents can call DOE’s Maui District office at 984-8001 or the Molokai Complex office at 553-1723.

The County’s Cooke Memorial Swimming Pool will remain closed while it is being used as a water source for helicopters conducting aerial water drops. Helicopter assistance will cease at nightfall as a safety precaution and is expected to resume tomorrow at daylight.

At 1:00 p.m. today the Red Cross closed an emergency shelter it opened yesterday at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center. Aside from one firefighter who was treated for smoke inhalation on Saturday, no injuries are reported.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

(Posted by Wendy Osher, Information provided by the County of Maui.  Photos courtesy Jeff Zuckernick)

MOLOKAI FIRE NOW IN ITS 3RD DAY BURNS AN ESTIMATED 7,200 ACRES

UPDATED @ 12:30 P.M. MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009

County and state fire crews continue their third day of battling a brush fire on Molokai that has increased in size to 7,200 acres since it was first reported Saturday afternoon.

Photo courtesy Jeff Zuckernick

On the ground, 40-plus County firefighters are joined by 28 wildland firefighters from the State’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife. Four helicopters returned this morning to assist firefighters with aerial water drops.

The fire is burning in a westerly direction and fire crews are dealing with gulches throughout the terrain. Bulldozer activity remains heavy as equipment operators place fire break lines to help prevent the fire from advancing.

Last night, an abandoned structure near Kalamaula was completely burned as firefighters fought to save the home adjacent to the abandoned building. The home was not damaged. A pig farm near Kalamaula was also threatened by the fire but did not sustain damage and the livestock were unharmed.

The County’s Cooke Memorial Swimming Pool remains closed today while it is being used as a water source for the helicopters.

A portion of the Maunaloa Highway was closed last night as fire crews and equipment traveled through the area to keep the fire from advancing.

Red Cross opened an emergency shelter at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center yesterday to accommodate anyone displaced.

Aside from one firefighter who was treated for smoke inhalation on Saturday, no injuries are reported.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

(Posted by Wendy Osher, Information provided by the County of Maui, Photos courtesy Jeff Zuckernick)

Photo courtesy Jeff Zuckernick

Photo courtesy Jeff Zuckernick

Photo courtesy Jeff Zuckernick

Photo courtesy Jeff Zuckernick

Photo courtesy Jeff Zuckernick

FIREFIGHTERS FACE CHANGING WINDS AND PRE-EXISTING DRY CONDITIONS; 4 SCHOOLS CLOSED

UPDATE:  6:45 A.M. MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009

FIRE FORCES SCHOOL CLOSURES:  The department of Education closed four schools on Molokai today because of the ongoing fire above Kaunakakai. Closures today include Molokai High, Molokai Middle, Kaunakakai Elementary and Kualapuu Elementary Public Charter School.

DROUGHT CONDITIONS ON MOLOKAI:  The island of Molokai has been having especially dry weather in recent months.  The latest update from the National Weather Service indicates severe drought on the western third of the island and moderate drought conditions covering the eastern two-thirds of the Friendly Isle.  The reservoir in West Molokai remains low and the mandatory cutback on irrigation water use had increased from 10 to 20 percent from the previous month.  The next drought update will be issued in two weeks.

UPDATE: 9:00 P.M. SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2009

Photo courtesy County of Maui.

Photo courtesy County of Maui.

More than 50 firefighters from County and State agencies are on the scene of a 6,000 acre fire on Molokai tonight.  Fire personnel have been fighting shifting wind directions since the fire started.

The fire is currently moving in a westerly direction and residents of the Kalamaula area are being allowed to remain in their homes. Helicopters providing air water drops ceased operating at nightfall and are expected to return at daylight Monday morning when conditions are safe for flying.

Firefighters from Maui’s Wailuku, Makawao and Kihei fire stations were sent to Molokai this afternoon to assist crews battling a brush fire that started shortly after 12 noon on Saturday, August 29.

Homes in the Kalamaula Mauka area that were threatened late this afternoon were evacuated when the fire came dangerously close to their residences.

Since the fire began, a single home sustained damage to its garage and one firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation on Saturday.  The firefighter was reported to be in stable condition after being treated at Molokai General Hospital.

(Posted by Wendy Osher; information provided by the County of Maui)

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DROUGHT MOLOKAI

On August 6, 2009,

The island of Molokai has been having especially dry weather in recent months.  
(The National Weather Service issues drought update each month.)
 
The latest update indicates severe drought on the western third (Maunaloa, Moomomi) of the island and moderate drought conditions covering the eastern two-thirds (west of Molokai airport…Kualapuu, Kaunakakai) of the island.  The reservoir in West Molokai remains low and the mandatory cutback on irrigation water use had increased from 10 to 20 percent from the previous month.  The next update will be issued in two weeks.  
 
(ON MAUI...severe drought continues to affect the southern and central sections of the island as well as the leeward slopes of the West Maui Mountains.)  The Maui County Department of Water Supply continues to request a 5 percent reduction in water use by Upcountry residents, and a 10 percent reduction in water use by Central Maui Residents.)
 

Wildland firetrucks, capable of traversing more rugged terrain, are stationed in Napili and on Molokai and Lanai. And the Wailuku Fire Station’s minitruck “Kahakuloa” has more off-road capabilities to access some remote areas better than traditional fire engines. The brush fire season is expected to continue into September.

RESIDENTS OF KALAMAULA MAUKA EVACUATED, FIRE GROWS TO 6,000 ACRES

Kaunakakai Fire. Photo Courtesy Lani Gomes.

UPDATE TO KAUNAKAKAI FIRE SUNDAY 8/30/09 4:15 p.m.

RESIDENTS OF KALAMAULA MAUKA ON MOLOKAI EVACUATED

A change in wind conditions has caused the brush fire on Molokai to switch from a mauka direction to makai. In response, Maui Police ordered residents in the Kalamaula Mauka area to evacuate at around 4:15 this (Sunday, August 30, 2009) afternoon. Police officers conducted door-to-door notifications to the approximately 25 residents in the area. Red Cross will be operating an emergency shelter at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center in Kaunakakai for displaced residents.

The brush fire burned 6,000 acres by afternoon. More than 30 firefighters worked overnight to battle 17 different extensions of the fire.  Overnight, a single residence sustained damage to its garage.  Today crews were assisted by staffing from Makawao and Kihei as well as 23 wildland firefighters from the state Department of Forestry and Wildlife. The fire was first reported at around noon on Saturday. The cause is unknown at this time.

Earlier updates are posted below.

(Posted by Wendy Osher, Information provided by the County of Maui.)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2009. 2:00 pm UPDATE  TO KAUNAKAKAI FIRE

Kaunakakai Fire. Photo Courtesy Lani Gomes.

The brush fire that was first reported at 12:05 pm Saturday afternoon has now burned an estimated 6,000 acres and has shifted back to burning in the mauka direction. Firefighters are currently concentrating on
the eastern flank of the fire after earlier efforts by firefighters and
helicopters to curtail the western section of the fire caused some
tapering at the western flank. No other significant changes have
occurred. See story below issued earlier today for additional
information.

(Posted by Wendy Osher, Information provided by the County of Maui)

By Wendy Osher

A brush fire on Molokai had burned 5,000 acres by Sunday morning and had damaged the garage of a single home. County officials say the shifting wind had initially pushed the fire in the mauka direction, but had changed and moved toward Kaunakakai town today, coming as close as across the street from Hotel Molokai.

Kaunakakai Fire. Image courtesy Lani Gomes.

The county Department of Fire and Public Safety sent firefighters from Napili and Wailuku yesterday to assist Molokai Firefighters from Kaunakakai, Pukoo and Hoolehua. Today, additional staffing will be sent today from Makawao and Kihei as well as 23 wildland firefighters from the Department of Forestry and Wildlife.

County Communications Director Mahina Martin said one residence sustained damage to its garage, and at approximately 2:00 am voluntary evacuations were advised. The brush fire approached a residential area of approximately 100 homes as the wind direction shifted throughout the night and early morning hours. Over 30 firefighters were on scene throughout the night battling over 17 different finger extensions of the brush fire.

At sunlight, four helicopters returned to conduct water drops after ceasing at nightfall Saturday due to safety precautions. Helicopter water drops forced the closure of Cooke Memorial Pool, which is being used as water source.

Molokai residents are reminded to stay out of the fire area for their own safety and also to assure water tankers and heavy equipment can operate in the confined area. The fire was first reported shortly after noon on Saturday, August 29, 2009.

One firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation at Molokai General Hospital yesterday and remains in stable condition. No other injuries are reported.

5 bulldozers, 2 loaders, and 3 water tankers are on scene from the County’s Department of Public Works, State agencies and private companies.

Fire officials report that no homes are in immediate danger at this time. The cause of the fire is unknown.
(Updated: 10 a.m. Sunday, August 30, 2009; Information provided by the County of Maui)

UPDATE: MOLOKAI BRUSH FIRE BURNS 2,500 ACRES

A brush fire burned an estimated 2,500 acres since it was first reported shortly after noon, Saturday, August 29, 2009.  The fire was located above the town of Kaunakakai and continued to burn in the mauka direction at nightfall.

File image by Wendy Osher.

Three helicopters assisted crews from the Molokai’s Kaunakakai, Hoolehua and Pukoo fire stations. Air operations included water drops throughout the day, but ceased at nightfall for safety reasons.

Firefighters from Maui were sent to assist Molokai crews with personnel from the Napili and Wailuku fire stations leaving Maui in the afternoon via helicopter and a fire department rescue boat. Molokai firefighters belonging to a relief engine crew were also called back to duty.

One firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation and was reportedly in stable condition at the Molokai General Hospital.

Thirty-one firefighters were joined by nearly a dozen personnel from County and State support agencies as well as heavy equipment operators from Goodfellow Brothers Co. who assisted with bulldozers used to put fire break lines in place. Water tankers from County and State highway divisions were deployed to the scene.

No structures were threatened. The fire’s closest point to structures was approximately one mile.

Crews are monitoring the fire throughout the night and air support will resume at daylight.

The cause of the fire is unknown.  A county issued update is expected before noon tomorrow, Sunday, August 30, 2009.

(Posted by Wendy Osher, Information provided by the County of Maui)

MAUI CREWS ASSIST MOLOKAI FIRE FIGHTERS AT KAUNAKAKAI BRUSH FIRE

A brush fire above Kaunakakai on Molokai burned 60 acres by 3:30 Saturday afternoon, August 29, 2009. The fire was first reported at 12:05 p.m. in a town located above Kaunakakai. County officials say the fire was burning in the mauka direction.

File photo by Wendy Osher.

Three helicopters were dispatched to the scene for water drops as well as crews from the Kaunakakai, Hoolehua and Pukoo stations.

At 2:30 p.m. a crew from the Wailuku station on Maui was sent to aid Molokai fire fighters and a crew from Maui’s Napili station was enroute to also provide additional support. County and State water tankers and heavy equipment used to build fire breaks were also on scene.

County communications director Mahina Martin said no residences were in jeopardy and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is unknown.

(Posted by Wendy Osher, Information provided by the County of Maui)