Controlled burn
at Makua scorches
additional acres
What started out as a "controlled burn" at Makua Military Reservation became uncontrollable for hours yesterday.
The Army said that 500 acres of Makua Military Reservation were unintentionally set afire yesterday afternoon in addition to the 500 acres that they planned to burn. Army firefighters had the fire under control last night but were still working to douse hot spots.
About 2:30 p.m., an increase in wind speed and change in direction caused the fire to burn outside the area the Army had intended to clear with a controlled burn throughout this week, said Army spokeswoman Maj. Stacy Bathrick.
She said no one was hurt, but the Army didn't know if any historical or archaeological sites or endangered species, which live in the upper regions of the valley, were harmed. Bathrick said the burnt 1,000 acres were limited to the northern, eastern and western sectors of the valley.
The Army said earlier that the controlled burn was part of its "overall plan to manage range training areas, conduct an unexploded ordnance clearance and to conduct an archeological survey."
The Honolulu Fire Department said most of the firefighting was done by the military with the city mainly supplying a few tankers. Three Army helicopters and federal firefighters also fought the fire.
Star-Bulletin reporter Elizabeth Fong contributed to this report.