Multiple Brush Fires Extinguished in Anahola

Kaua‘i firefighters extinguished multiple brush fires that broke out in a 40-acre area in Anahola Wednesday, Oct. 27.

No injuries were reported, and no structures were threatened.

Personnel with the Kapa‘a and Kaiākea fire stations, Tender 1, Air 1, KFD Fire Prevention Bureau, Kaua‘i Police Department, and the on-duty Battalion Chief responded to the incident.

According to a preliminary report, at approximately 6:30 a.m. KFD Fire Prevention Bureau personnel arrived on the scene to investigate Tuesday’s fire in Anahola. Crews discovered multiple fires over a 35-acre burn area. Because of fire breaks, the fires were contained in the area. However, Prevention 1 found that areas along the north and makai edges would be vulnerable to breach of fire break if the winds shifted.

Because of the active fires in the area, a controlled burn scheduled at the location fronting a surf break commonly known as Crack 14 was not needed.

At 10:10 a.m., fire officials continued with plans for a controlled burn in another location and ignited approximately 400 yards of the perimeter to the north and east side along the fire breaks. Fire officials monitored the controlled fire until flames subsided at 11:45 a.m.

Before breaking for lunch, fire personnel aboard Truck 2 conducted a perimeter check and discovered smoke on the makai side of the previous day’s fire – outside of the fire break. The new fire was difficult to reach, as it was downhill. However, Truck 2 and Truck 8 had the fire under control at 2:30 p.m.

Before shutting down operations, at approximately 3 p.m., Prevention 1 flew a drone around the area and discovered that the previous day’s fire had flared and extended outside a fire break toward Kūhiʻō Highway. Firefighters stationed along the perimeter of the highway battled the blaze, while KPD officials were requested for possible traffic control.

With the hillside fire slow-moving, Air 1 conducted water drops on the difficult-to-reach terrain, while Tender 1 wet areas along fire breaks on the hillside until 7:30 p.m.

Fire officials remained on the scene to monitor the area until 9:30 p.m. The scene was cleared at 9:40 p.m.

The cause of the fire is undetermined.