Posted on: Monday, June 13, 2005
Makaha blaze may be deliberate
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser Staff Writer
Firefighters were called to another Leeward Coast brushfire around noon yesterday, and said the blaze near the Makaha West Golf Course was probably intentionally set.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser Firefighters said they believe the fire was intentionally set and and appeared unrelated to a fire that burned 50 acres of brush on Saturday near Water Street.
"We have no witnesses reporting seeing any suspicious behavior," Fire Capt. Emmit Kane said. "But because of the location, it's hardly likely that the fire was started by a discarded cigarette. It is well in and off the beaten path."
The Honolulu Fire Department said it has responded to more than 200 brushfires this year, nearly three times the rate of last year. The biggest fire was one that burned an estimated 3,000 acres in Nanakuli Valley last month.
Saturday's fire damaged an engine unit from the Nanakuli fire station and came within 100 feet of homes along Manuku Street.
Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.
The fire charred about eight acres in Makaha Valley, closing the golf course for a few hours and coming within about 100 yards of homes on Ikuone Place. About 45 firefighters had the fire contained about 2 p.m. and worked several more hours stamping out hot spots.
A fireman douses smoldering brush near Ikuone Place. The fire was contained by early yesterday afternoon and charred about eight acres of Makaha Valley. Fire officials say it's likely the fire was deliberately set because it was "well in and off the beaten path."
