A voluntary evacuation notice remains in effect for cabins in the Pu‘u Ka Pele section of the Waimea Canyon State Park as continued extreme fire behavior remains a challenge for state and county firefighters battling the Hikimoe ridge fire in
A voluntary evacuation notice remains in effect for cabins in the Pu‘u Ka Pele section of the Waimea Canyon State Park as continued extreme fire behavior remains a challenge for state and county firefighters battling the Hikimoe ridge fire in the Pu‘u Ka Pele forest reserve on Thursday.
“We urge the public to heed the existing evacuation notice for their own safety and the safety of the firefighters,” said William Aila Jr., the Department of Land and Natural Resources Chairman, in a DLNR release.
The voluntary evacuation notice remains in effect until fire officials deem fire conditions are no longer a threat to cabin users and structures.
Hunting units A and J in the Pu‘u Ka Pele forest reserve remain closed and notices of the fire closure will be posted at the Koke‘e and Pu‘u ‘Opae Hunter Checking Stations.
Pu‘u Lua Reservoir and trout fishing are also closed for public safety until further notice and the gate at the 12-mile marker on Highway 550 is closed.
DLNR officials said in a Thursday update that the Hikimoe ridge fire is very active with a flaming front mainly on the southeast flank due to strong and erratic winds, and an abundance of dry brush and downed vegetation from both Hurricane ‘Iwa and ‘Iniki fueling the fire.
Crews will monitor and prevent spread of the fire through the night.
A total of 44 DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife personnel from Kaua‘i, Maui and O‘ahu were on the fire line or providing logistical support on Thursday. Additionally, the DOFAW has contracted equipment hires including two bulldozers, two water tenders and four helicopters.
The fleet was joined by the County’s Air 1 helicopter assisting with water drops in the morning.
The County of Kaua‘i also sent 14 firefighters, two County Public Works personnel with a water tender and the communications van which provided communications support for crews and helicopters.
“We are very appreciative of the continued tremendous support from the Kaua‘i Fire Department,” Aila said. “We thank our crews for their continued perseverance.
Late Wednesday afternoon, helicopters continued water drops on a second spot fire which broke out 1.5 miles away from the main fire on the western side of Ha‘ele‘ele Ridge.
According to the DLNR update, this spot fire has since joined up with the main fire.
