Posted t 5:10 p.m., Monday, September 24, 2001

Brush fire affecting traffic visibility on H-2

Advertiser Staff

Honolulu firefighters from the Wahiawa fire station approach a brushfire that flared on the H-2 between Mililani and Waipio Gentry. Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser

Two brush fires that may have been intentionally set burned about 10 acres of land between Waipio Gentry and Mililani today and forced police to close lanes of the H-2 freeway in both directions due to severely limited visibility from smoke, according to the Honolulu Fire Department.

The first brush fire was reported at about 10:30 a.m yesterday on the Wai'anae side of the H-2 near the Ka Uka Boulevard offramp. Firefighters had it contained by 11:30 a.m. after less than 5 acres burned. Police closed one southbound lane of the H-2 freeway at about 10:55 a.m., according to fire Capt. Richard Soo.

Seven fire units responded to that brush fire which was completely extinguished by 12:30 p.m.

The second brushfire was reported at about 1:45 p.m. on the opposite side of the freeway closer to Mililani Memorial Park. Two northbound lanes were closed from 2 p.m. until about 5 p.m., Soo said.

Six fire units including Air 1 and federal units were called to extinguish the blaze fire which burned about 5 acres and was under control by 3:45 p.m.

Soo said it appears the fires started near the road and very close to each other which leads investigators to believe they were intentionally set.

"If it was the wind that spread the fire, it should have started on the other side and burned over to the Wai'anae side," Soo said "It was completely the opposite."