Firefighting resumes as Mililani Mauka fire grows to 1,100 acres
COURTESY HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT / NOV. 1
A drone captures an aerial view of the Mililani Mauka wildfire.
UPDATE
Honolulu Fire Department officials suspended operations at the wildland fire above Mililani Mauka after sundown Thursdayday, the fourth day for the blaze that has not threatened lives or property but has sent smoke and ash over West and Central Oahu communities.
The fire, which has burned 1,100 acres and is 30% contained, continues to burn in a remote, mountainous area, HFD said. The main portion is moving east about three miles from Mililani Mauka community.
HFD plans to do another air reconnaissance at 7 a.m. Friday.
The Hawaii Department of Health’s Clean Air Branch is monitoring air quality monitoring. Anyone with air quality questions or concerns may call the branch at (808) 586-4417.
Anyone affected by the smoke should shelter in place or somewhere with air conditioning. Anyone experiencing difficulty breathing, should call 911, HFD said.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
The wildland fire in remote mountains above Mililani Mauka continues for a fourth day, and has now burned about 1,100 acres, according to the Honolulu Fire Department.
HFD resumed firefighting operations at 7:05 a.m. today after an overnight suspension, and said the main portion of the active fire continues moving east, approximately four miles from the Mililani Mauka community. HFD said the fire is about 30% contained.
Five aircraft have been deployed to help conduct water drops — two HFD helicopters, one U.S. Army National Guard Blackhawk helicopter, one U.S. Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook aircraft and one United States Fish and Wildlife Services contracted helicopter.
HFD investigators are continuing their investigation into the cause of the fire, which was reported shortly before 6 a.m. on Monday via a 911 call.
No injuries have been reported. No structures or homes have been threatened, and no evacuations have been ordered at this time.
HFD recommends anyone who may be affected by the smoke shelter in place or a place with air conditioning. Anyone experiencing difficulty breathing should call 911 immediately.
The state Health Department’s Clean Air Branch began air quality monitoring in the area and can be reached at 808-586-4200.
