A fire that broke out on Robinson Family land on a ridge separating Haena and Wainiha Valley was put out following a five-hour battle Saturday, the Kauai Fire Department said. The fire, cause unknown, which started after 1 p.m. and
A fire that broke out on Robinson Family land on a ridge separating Haena and Wainiha Valley was put out following a five-hour battle Saturday, the Kauai Fire Department said.
The fire, cause unknown, which started after 1 p.m. and was put under control by 6 p.m., could have spread south toward the mountains or eastward toward homes in Waniha Valley.
But the blaze was contained within 3 1/2 acres on the Haena side of the ridge because nine firefighters from Hanalei, Kapaa, Koloa, Kalaheo and Waimea and four brush trucks each carrying water tanks ranging from 250 to 350 gallons tanks were used expertly, according to fire battalion chief Robert Kaden.
The fire trucks were used because their smaller size enabled firefighters to get to the remote area. The trucks were driven on a small, dirt track to get to the fire, Kaden said.
“Capt. Jay Peters (who heads the fire station in Hanalei) used the resources properly and did an excellent job,” Kaden said.
A single helicopter from the Pacific Missile Range Facility also help control the fire with between 20 and 30 water drops. The helicopter took the water from the shoreline to combat the blaze, Kaden said.
In addition, Keith Robinson provided a bulldozer which was used to create a fire break. When the fire crossed over the line, the helicopter water drops pushed the fire back, Kaden said.
The fire was well under control by 6 p.m. As part of a mop-up operation, firefighters watered down the area with backpack sprayers and with hoses connected to the brush trucks, Kaden said.
