HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR061819Over2000acresscorchedinKokeebrushfireTHE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
mqa MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
C OF
News Release
For Immediate Release: June 18, 2019
KAUA'I FIRE DEPARTMENT
KILIPAKI VAUGHAN, DEPUTY CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-4980
Fax (808) 241-6508
Over 2,000 acres scorched in Koke`e brush fire
KOKE'E — Fire officials estimate that roughly 2,100 acres have burned since Sunday,
following a brush fire that broke out in Koke`e that morning.
No injuries have been reported.
While the majority of the blaze has been contained as of Monday night, the fire is still
ongoing at this time due to limited access to the rough terrain. Units are on scene controlling the
perimeter and creating firebreaks to suppress the flames.
Response efforts continued Tuesday, with State Department of Land and Natural
Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife leading the charge, along with assistance from
Kauai Fire Department's Waimea fire station, Rescue 3 aboard Air 1, and the on -duty Battalion
Chief.
Multiple ground crews and air support from the following agencies have also assisted in
the effort since Sunday: County Public Works, PMRF/AARF, Airborne Aviation, Jack Harter,
Cushnie Construction, Wa'alani Enterprises, Goodfellow Bros., Earthworks Pacific, J&R
Equipment Services, `Ghana Trucking & Equipment Services, Kauai Police Department, Hawaii
Department of Transportation, KIUC, and Hawaiian Telcom.
Power was restored to Koke'e at approximately 10:50 a.m. Tuesday.
Access to Koke'e is limited to Waimea Canyon Drive, which was reopened Monday night
and remains open at this time. Koke'e Road will stay closed at least through Tuesday while
response efforts continue.
Updates will be announced as information becomes available.
The cause of the fire is being investigated. Anyone with information is urged to call
Police Dispatch at 241-1711. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers
Kauai, at 246-8300.
Above: A responding helicopter is shown
making water drops to the Koke`e brush fire,
Monday afternoon.
Photo courtesy of KIUC.
Left: Private companies have assisted state
and county officials with suppressing the
Koke`e brush fire since Sunday. Pictured
here is an employee of J&R Equipment
Services using a bulldozer to stop the fire
from jumping the road Sunday afternoon.
Photo courtesy of `Ohana Trucking &
Equipment Services.
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Above: Shown is an aerial view of the Koke`e brush fire, taken on Monday.
Photo courtesy of KIUC.