Wai'anae brush fire kept away from homes
By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer
A Wai'anae fire that started about 5 p.m. yesterday in the vicinity of Ma'ili'ili Road burned more than 40 acres before firefighters brought it under control at 7 p.m.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
The fire came within 100 yards of the Waianae Comprehensive Health Center, and within 50 yards of three homes nearby. No residents were evacuated.
Firefighters hose down burning embers on a Wai'anae hillside. Forty-five firefighters battled the blaze, the second major brush fire on O'ahu in as many days.
The fire spread "in two fingers," heading in separate directions, said fire captain Richard Soo. The fire department brought 12 units and 45 firefighters to the scene.
Soo said that to make up for the shortage in manpower, the fire department shifted units from as far as Manoa and Palolo to the Leeward Coast to remain prepared for any other potential emergencies.
As on Friday evening, when a brush fire swept over 30 acres near the Kane'ohe Marine Corps base, the fire department was on Level 2 status, Soo said, meaning one-quarter of the department's on-duty people were dedicated to fighting the emergency.
The fire stretched from the road into hilly terrain and open scrubland, filling the air with billowing gray smoke.
After bringing the fire under control, the fire department continued to make water drops with its Air 1 helicopter to keep the fire from spreading further.
"This is only the third day of summer, and already we've had two major brush fires," Soo said.
The department is asking residents, particularly those who live near brushy land, to create a 10- to 15-foot firebreak around the properties.
The blaze that burned through 30 acres on Friday night may have been intentionally set, firefighters said yesterday.
That fire was first spotted about 9 p.m. Friday near an H-3 lookout and the Kane'ohe Marine Corps base.
"Before the fire there was a man seen parked at the lookout and walking about 20 yards back to a ravine, having us believe it was maliciously set," Soo said.
There were no injuries or property damage Friday from the brush fire, but the emergency call and a Wheeler Army Airfield house fire stretched manpower thin. Seven Honolulu fire ground units and three federal units, along with the fire department's Air 1 helicopter, responded.
Police shut down H-3 in both directions Friday because too many drivers were pulling along the side of the freeway to watch the fire and got in the way of fire crews.
"Along with calling 911 promptly when they see a fire, we're asking people to use common sense and not come near the scene to watch," Soo said.
The Wheeler house fire gutted a townhouse and sent two residents to Wahiawa General Hospital for treatment after they suffered minor smoke inhalation. An adult and child were at home at the time of the fire, but escaped.
Eight fire units responded to the 10:18 p.m. alarm at Peterson Court and Wright Avenue.
The fire occurred in one unit of a four-unit, two-story townhome complex. The blaze was brought under control at 11:13 p.m.
Other units suffered smoke and water damage. Property damage was estimated at $280,000.
