Updated at 5:53 p.m., Friday, July 6, 2007
UH faculty housing reopens after brushfire evacuation
Advertiser Staff
University of Hawai'i at Manoa's Wa'ahila Ridge faculty housing was evacuated at noon as a brushfire burning along the ridge came within an estimated 200 yards of the complex. It reopened at 2:45 p.m.Also, officials closed access to East-West Road at midday because of concerns that traffic there would impede firefighters. The campus roadway also reopened at 2:45.
While the fire threat has diminished on the faculty housing side of Wa'ahila Ridge, officials are monitoring the brushfire's proximity to student housing on the other side.
The brushfire, which started shortly before 11 p.m. last night, burned during the early afternoon near Hale Laulima and Kahawai dorms — close to UH Korean Studies buildings.
By 3:15 p.m. however, firefighters declared that the brushfire was contained. Fire crews are continuing to monitor the scene for potential flare-ups.
The scope of brushfire along Wa'ahila Ridge this afternoon jumped from about 2 acres to 50 acres, officials said.
Before midday fire officials estimated that the fire was burning about 2 acres. And at one point last night, 5 acres.
About 60 firefighters this afternoon battled the blaze that last night lit up the St. Louis Heights area.
Honolulu Fire Department firefighters had initially declared the smoldering blaze contained at about 2:15 morning.
