Update: Kaua‘i Fire Department crews clear scene of Kōke‘e brush fire; state crews to return Thursday morning

Update at 10:12 p.m. May 7: Kaua‘i Fire Department crews cleared the scene at about 6 p.m. today (May 7) of the brush fire in Kōke‘e, near the junction of Kōke‘e Road and Waimea Canyon Drive.

Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife crews remained at the valley scene — where it’s estimated about 2 acres had been scorched with the fire still about 70% contained by about 6 p.m. — until sundown and will resume operations Thursday morning, May 8.

Kaua‘i Fire Department turned over the incident to state officials earlier Wednesday and will be on standby Thursday to provide assistance if requested by state officials.

Waimea Canyon Drive, from Panini Place to Kōke‘e Road junction, and Kōke‘e Road near mile-marker 7 are now open. State officials anticipate the roads will remain open.

This is the final update from Kaua‘i County, pending any significant future updates.

Update at 3:27 p.m. May 7: Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife and Kaua‘i Fire Department crews continue to respond to a brush fire in Kōke‘e near the junction of Kōke‘e Road and Waimea Canyon Drive.

Fire personnel estimate the blaze, which is located in a valley, scorched about 2 acres and is about 70% contained.

There continues to be no threats to structures nor any reported injuries.

The fire was reported shortly before 6 a.m. today (May 7).

Kaua‘i Fire Department turned over the incident to state officials. Kaua‘i fire crews continue to assist Division of Forestry and Wildlife crews at the scene.

Waimea Canyon Drive, from Panini Place to Kōke‘e Road junction, remains closed until further notice. In addition, Kōke‘e Road near mile marker 7 is also closed.

The public is strongly advised to avoid the area.

Update at 1:47 p.m. May 7: Kaua‘i firefighters continue to respond to an about 2-acre brush fire in Kōke‘e near the junction of Kōke‘e Road and Waimea Canyon Drive.

Crews with Kaua‘i Fire Department’s Hanapēpē and Waimea fire stations, Rescue 3, Tender 1, Kaua‘i County Department of Public Works, state officials and the on-duty battalion chief are responding to the incident.

Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency is also monitoring the fire.

There continues to be no threat to structures nor any injuries reported. The fire was reported shortly before 6 a.m. today (May 7).

Waimea Canyon Drive, from Panini Place to Kōke‘e Road junction, also continues to be closed, according to state officials. In addition, Kōke‘e Road near mile marker 7 is also closed.

The public is strongly advised to avoid the area as fire crews remain at the scene.

10:30 a.m. update on May 7: Kaua‘i fire crews continue to battle blaze in Kōke‘e.

Waimea Canyon Drive, from Panini Place to Kōke‘e Road junction, is closed, according to State officials. In addition, Kōke‘e Road near mile marker 7 is also closed to traffic.

The public is advised to avoid the area as crews remain on scene.

Original post: Kaua‘i Fire Department is responding to a brush fire in Kōke‘e near the junction of Kōke‘e Road and Waimea Canyon Drive.

There are no threats to structures, nor have any injuries been reported.

According to a preliminary report, the fire was reported shortly before 6 a.m. The estimated size is 2 acres.

Responding crews include firefighters from the Hanapēpē and Waimea fire stations, Rescue 3, Tender 1, Air 1, the Department of Public Works, the Kaua‘i Police Department, and the on-duty Battalion Chief are responding to the incident.

The Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency is also monitoring the fire.

At this time, Waimea Canyon Drive is now open. Kōke‘e Road near mile-marker 7 has one lane of alternating traffic. The public is strongly advised to avoid the area as crews remain on scene.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.