Fireworks likely culprit in Waianae brush fire
Officials suspect that fireworks might have ignited a fire that consumed 10 acres of brush in Waianae yesterday afternoon.
Firefighters "could hear fireworks going off while they were in the brush, and fireworks went off near one of the firetrucks," said fire Capt. Kenison Tejada.
A few brush fires have erupted in the vicinity of yesterday's fire on the mauka side of Ala Hema Street in the past few days, including yesterday morning, Tejada said.
The fire was reported at 2:52 p.m., and firefighters were taking care of a few remaining hot spots at 5:20 p.m.
Firefighters did not see and they do not suspect anyone of throwing fireworks into the brush while they fought the fire, but unexploded fireworks could have been left in the area, Tejada said.
No houses or any other buildings were threatened, Tejada said.
It takes just one of these fireworks to start a fire and change people's lives, he emphasized.
This New Year's holiday celebration resulted in 61 suspected fireworks-related incidents on Oahu from Friday to Monday, and does not include yesterday's blaze.
One incident caused damage to a small structure outside a house.
"It was minor but it could have been major," Tejada said. "We're just lucky. Somebody could have suffered loss of life or loss of property."
In past New Year's Eves, fireworks have caused house fires and even deaths, Tejada said.
On New Year's Eve 2000, an 80-year-old woman and two family dogs were killed inside their Palolo house by a fire that was suspected to have been caused by aerial fireworks.
He said it is likely those responsible for yesterday's brush fire did not mean for the fireworks to shoot into the brush.
"Jumping jacks and aerials travel and create the most danger because of the distance they can travel," he said, adding that they have been found at brush fires and other fire scenes.
The Honolulu Fire Department advocates a ban on fireworks.
"We are a public safety agency," Tejada said. "We have no choice. We would be irresponsible if we didn't advocate for public safety."