Waianae brushfire A wild fire that scorched about 10 acres of Waianae brush last night flared up again today near the intersection of Waianae Valley Road and Haleahi Road, creating a huge canopy of smoke in sky over the Waianae coast.
flares up once more
Officials say the new blaze may
have spread to 1,200 acresStar-Bulletin staff
Fire officials said this morning the fire may have spread to 1,200 acres, the largest fire they've ever fought in the area.
"There were tons of smoke and you could hardly see the mountains," said Rufus Kimura, ranger at Camp Waianae.
He said the fire this morning was climbing the Waianae side of Makaha Valley, but was being kept in check by water doused by helicopters.
There are only a few homes located on Waianae Valley Road and firefighters appeared to keep the flames away from them, he said.
Kimura estimated that the fire was about a quarter mile from the church camp which is located at the end of Waianae Valley Road on Haleahi Road.
Flames spread rapidly this morning with increasing winds, causing fire officials to call for reinforcement from military firefighting units.
The city fire department dispatched 15 companies and one helicopter this morning. State officials were planning to rent helicopters to help with firefighting efforts, said fire Capt. Richard Soo.
The blaze was spreading eastward this morning, approaching Piliahi Road, which is populated sparsely with farms and homes. Fire officials said no properties were threatened and no one was evacuated as of mid morning.
Nine fire units battled the blaze last night as flames lit up the night sky. No one was evacuated but some residents left voluntarily to get away from the smoke.
Firefighters contained the fire about 2:20 a.m. and left the scene, but they were called back about 7 a.m. after the fire flared up again.