Brush fire burned about 1,600 acres in Koke‘e

KOKE‘E — A mop-up was underway on Monday at the site of a brush fire, which scorched approximately 1,600 acres before it was extinguished by air and ground attacks from personnel with local, state and federal agencies.

The fire, which was first reported on Thursday evening, led Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative to de-energize the Koke‘e circuit on Friday before re-energizing the circuit on Saturday. The decision to de-energize the circuit affected roughly 116 customers.

The brush fire also led to the closures of Koke‘e Road and Waimea Canyon Road, both of which have since been reopened. No injuries were reported, the Kaua‘i Fire Department said.

A number of agencies were involved in battling the blaze, including Kaua‘i Fire Department, Kaua‘i Police Department, Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Conservation Resources Enforcement, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Department of Public Works and Pacific Missile Range Facility.

Lihu‘e Airport – Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Kekaha Agriculture Association, Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency, Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Highways Division, Hawai‘i Army National Guard and multi private contractors were also involved in fighting the brush fire.

“Once again, we thank everyone involved in this response for their steadfast efforts to ensure the safety of our personnel and our community,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami in a statement on Monday. “This incident response followed a strong unified command, and we are grateful for the best outcome as no one was injured and no structures were damaged.”