Posted on: Friday, June 21, 2002

Volcanoes Park fire costly, but nearly out

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

VOLCANO, Hawai'i — The longest-running fire in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park history — also believed to be the costliest to contain — continued to smolder yesterday but is nearly out, according to Jack Minassian, the park's fire management officer.

The Kupukupu fire — named for the exotic fern that helped fuel the blaze — began May 17 when lava from the Kilauea eruption ignited brush. More than 3,660 acres have burned.

All the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service firefighters from the Mainland have been sent home, and those from Maui and West Hawai'i also have been allowed to return to their posts, Minassian said.

A handful of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park firefighters remain to monitor the fire. "It may be several more days before I can declare this one out," Minassian said.

He estimated firefighting costs at $1.5 million, but said the figure could easily rise once all the expenses for the 80 Mainland firefighters are calculated.

The Kipuka Nene fire in 1987 blackened nearly 15,000 acres but burned for a much shorter period. Firefighting costs for that operation, which also involved people from the Mainland, were not available.