Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR061219KFD1THE COUNTY OF KAUA'I DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR mqa MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR C os News Release For Immediate Release: June 12, 2019 OFFICE OF THE MAYOR SARAH K. BLANE, CHIEF OF STAFF Tel (808) 241-4900 Fax (808) 241-6877 Firefighters remain at the scene of Po`ipu Brush Fire PO`IPO — Firefighters continue to battle hotspots at the scene of a large brush first that initially broke out Tuesday afternoon in Poipu, in the vicinity of Ala Kinoiki, Po`ipu, and Old Mill roads. No injuries or structural damage have been reported. Fire crews had the roughly 500-acre fire under control at approximately 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday, and remain at the scene on Wednesday. Fire crews continue to patrol the area for flare ups, with personnel from the KPD Prevention Bureau also conducting their investigation, as well as the on -duty Battalion Chief on scene. On Tuesday, firefighters responded to the brush fire that was reported at approximately 3:30 p.m. Firefighters first arrived on scene at approximately 3:40 p.m., with Air 1 en route at approximately 3:50 p.m. Twenty four KFD personnel from the Koloa, Kalaheo, and Lihu`e fire stations, including Rescue 3, and the on -duty Battalion Chief, responded to the incident. Firefighters were assisted by water tenders from CJM Stables, Wa`alani Enterprises, the Department of Public Works Roads Division, Goodfellow Bros., and Paul's Electric. Po`ipu Bay Golf Course, Blue Knight Services Hawaii, Koloa Zipline, and Grove Farm also assisted with the incident. Assisting Air 1 were three helicopters from Airborne Aviation and a helicopter from Jack Harter that made water drops on the fire. Kauai Police Department personnel responded to the scene at approximately 4:15 p.m. to close Ala Kinoiki (from Po`ipu Road to Weliwli Road), Old Mill Road, and Po`ipu Road (east of Ala Kinoiki intersection). Police officers assisted with traffic control as well as notifying surrounding residents of evacuations. As a safety precaution, fire officials evacuated residents on Kipuka Street, including all connecting roads and Weliweli Tract at approximately 5:20 p.m. Due to the evacuation, volunteers with the American Red Cross opened a shelter, with the assistance of the Department of Parks and Recreation, at the Koloa Neighborhood Center from 8:30 to 9:15 p.m. At approximately 8:50 p.m., officials reopened Kipuka Street, connecting roads, and Weliweli Tract and subsequently lifted the evacuation notice for those residents. Po`ipu Road was reopened at 9:15 p.m. Ala Kinoiki remained closed through the night and reopened at approximately 6:20 a.m. on June 12. On Wednesday, due to a small fire that reignited in the area, Kauai Police Department personnel closed Ala Kinoiki (from Po`ipu Road to Weliweli Road) from 12:30 to 1 p.m. That fire is now contained but crews remain on scene to monitor any flare ups. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Photo caption: Kauai firefighters, with the assistance of various landowners and agencies, extinguished a 500-acre brush fire in Po`ipu, near the vicinity of Ala Kinoiki, Po`ipu, and Old Mill roads, on Tuesday. Photo captions: On Wednesday, Kauai Fire Department crews remain on scene to monitor any flare ups.