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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 1:03 a.m., Sunday, May 6, 2007

Construction workers help douse Kaua'i brushfire

Advertiser Staff

KIAHUNA, Kaua'i — Within one hour after a brushfire ignited in Kiahuna this afternoon, it was deemed under control.

Firefighters and rescue specialists from the Koloa and Lihue fire stations responded to the 1:30 p.m. alarm. Also on scene were employees of Goodfellow Brothers and Kiewit Construction who assisted the Kauai Fire Department with their water tankers, loaders, caterpillars, and bulldozers.

"They were a tremendous help to us," said Battalion Chief Theodore Williams. "They jumped right in, helped cut firebreaks and wet down the perimeter so the fire wouldn't spread."

He said that because of the collaboration between the construction workers and the firefighters, they were able to have the fire under control in a relatively short period of time.

Although the cause of the fire has not been determined, Williams pointed that the dry season is here.

"I'd like to remind everyone to be aware of the extremely dry conditions we're experiencing right now," he said. "A careless act like throwing a cigarette out of a window or a hot muffler coming into contact with dry grass can easily start a fire."