KEALIA — A small blaze yesterday helped keep the word “wildfire” on the minds of many. Over half-a-million acres burned in the recent California wildfires. Some 2,000 acres burned on the Big Island last week. Sunday, six acres burned in
KEALIA — A small blaze yesterday helped keep the word “wildfire” on the minds of many.
Over half-a-million acres burned in the recent California wildfires. Some 2,000 acres burned on the Big Island last week. Sunday, six acres burned in Koke‘e and took over three hours to extinguish.
Firefighters speculate a tossed cigarette butt may have caused the Koke‘e blaze.
Yesterday, about 3 acres burned in a former sugarcane field on upper Kealia Road on the Eastside north of Kapa‘a. The fire was extinguished quickly and the cause is not known. The fire appears to have spread from the road though, indicating possibly a hot muffler or another cigarette. No lives or structures were threatened, according to Mary Daubert, public information officer for Kaua‘i county.
Although the fire didn’t damage anything, it possibly could have been prevented. According to an online fire prevention web site, nine out of 10 wildfires are started by humans. A car with improperly adjusted brakes or poorly lubricated bearings can generate enough heat to ignite dry vegetation.
Wildfires in Hawai‘i can damage the fragile ecosystem by killing plants, birds and animals endemic to the state. In 2006, 14,585 acres were burned by wildfires in Hawai‘i.
To prevent wildfires starting near homes, eliminate fuel sources such as dry leaves, grass or wood and be sure to prune trees and shrubs. Getting a good tune-up for the car can eliminate wildfires.
At first sign of a wildfire, leave the area immediately and contact the fire department.
