KFD Releases Brush Fire Prevention Guidelines

In anticipation of dry summer conditions, the Kaua‘i Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau has created safety guidance and educational outreach to prevent brush fires.

“According to forecasts, Kaua‘i may experience drier conditions in July that are conducive to brush fires,” said Fire Prevention Bureau Capt. Jeremie Makepa. “We are encouraging the public to be proactive this summer when outdoors to prevent fires.”

Additionally, the Fire Prevention Bureau is partnering with Family Life Center Kaua‘i and various outreach partners to educate campers and homeless community members on outdoor fire prevention measures. Most recently, KFD crews visited Salt Pond Beach Park and will visit other locations.

The Kaua‘i Prevention Bureau offers the following safety tips:

• Be careful with fireworks and use them responsibly only from 1 to 9 p.m. on July 4
• Be aware of wind direction and gusts that could spread fire rapidly
• Set up your camp in a clear, flat area with a sleeping area 50 feet upwind from your cooking area
• Ensure that cooking fires are utilized in a fire pit to reduce wood or other fuels from spilling out
• Limit fires to the size necessary for cooking the intended food
• Have enough water available via bucket or water hose to extinguish fires after cooking
• Have a six-foot safe zone around fires, keep kids and pets away from the area
• Dispose of coals after they have cooled in a metal can
• Never leave grills or fire pits unattended
• Have an escape route to a clear area safe from rapid-fire spread

A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. When this event happens, the National Weather Service issues “A Red Flag Warning,” which means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will occur shortly. A Red Flag Warning does not predict new fire starts.

Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly in these conditions, according to the National Weather Service. Therefore, the public should not participate in any outdoor burning.

For more information about fire safety, contact the Fire Prevention Bureau at 808-241-4985.