Posted on: Tuesday, July 5, 2005

Fire crews confront 'normal' July Fourth

By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer

Honolulu firefighters were busy but not overwhelmed yesterday as O'ahu experienced a "normal" number of Fourth of July fires.

By 10 last night, firefighters had responded to 54 fires (43 brush, 11 rubbish) compared with 70 fires on July 4 last year.

Honolulu Fire Department Capt. Emmit Kane said it was "pretty normal" for the holiday. "We suspect more than 50 percent (of the blazes) are fireworks related," he said.

Firefighters have been apprehensive about this summer because of a large amount of dry brush that accumulated over the past two years.

So far this year, HFD has responded to more than 200 brushfires, well above last year's pace.

The two biggest fires the department fought yesterday were in Makaha and Waialua, both of which are believed to be related to fireworks, Kane said.

At 5:15 p.m., 35 firefighters from seven companies responded to a fire in Makaha that burned more than 40 acres. Firefighters were still at the scene stamping out hot spots at 9 last night.

One firefighter suffered a lower leg injury, most likely a sprained ankle, while fighting the Makaha fire, Kane said. No other injuries from fires were reported on O'ahu yesterday.

Another fire that burned about 20 acres broke out in Waialua at 4:10 p.m.

No significant property damage was reported.

Brushfires did get close to homes on Kaonohi Street in 'Aiea and near Poka'i Bay in Wai'anae but firefighters were able to contain both blazes before they damaged any structures.

Of the 70 fires last year, 53 were fireworks related, Kane said.

Reach Peter Boylan at 535-8110 or pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.