Arson suspected in Wai'anae Valley brush fire
By James Gonser
Advertiser Leeward Bureau
Dozens of firefighters worked into the night yesterday battling the largest brush fire of the year as 700 to 800 acres near the Wai'anae Kai Forest Reserve went up in smoke, according to Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Capt. Richard Soo.
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Arson is suspected in the blaze, which was contained at 8:50 p.m., Soo said.
Honolulu firefighters had to use hand tools and water bladders to fight a fire near the Wai'anae Kai Forest Reserve yesterday.
Fourteen fire companies with 55 firefighters from as far as Manoa and Palolo as well as four helicopters from HFD, the Army and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources were brought in to fight the fire at the end of Wai'anae Valley Road.
The fire was reported at about 12:15 p.m., and strong winds quickly pushed the blaze up into the valley, Soo said.
Because no hydrants are available in the area, firefighters were forced to use hand tools and bladders filled with water.
"It is too treacherous to have firefighters in these mountains at night," Soo said. "We will establish a fire watch through the night and see what happens at first light."
The fire was near some farm lots, but no homes were threatened yesterday.
Soo said the fire may have been intentionally set because no obvious cause, such as a downed power line or a lightning strike, could be found immediately.
Over the past few weeks, an arsonist also is believed to be responsible for 15 small brush fires in Central O'ahu.
Pat Costales, DLNR O'ahu branch manager, said a brush fire in the same area two years ago endangered native plants.
"There may be a few plants in harm's way," Costales said.
Most of yesterday's fire was located in agricultural lease land, he said, and about 10 percent in the forest preserve.
Costales praised the efforts of firefighters protecting the watershed.
"They have been making a gallant effort," Costales said.
Previously, the largest brush fire of the year burned about 50 acres Aug. 30 near Mililani Memorial Park.
