Firefighters battle multiple brush fires in Anahola, arson suspected

Kaua‘i firefighters extinguished several brush fires May 2 in Anahola. No injuries or damaged structures were reported. The blazes scorched about 5 acres. Firefighters were dispatched shortly after 5:40 p.m. Thursday to reports of multiple blazes near ‘Ehukai Road in Anahola. They were able to quickly extinguish three small brush fires after arriving. Another 4.3-acre fire was reported in an area called Crack 14 near the ocean. Air 1 made about 20 water drops on that blaze and firefighters on the ground used 3,200 gallons of foam and water to put it out. Firefighters with the Kaiakea and Kapa‘a fire stations, Rescue 3, Air 1, Tanker 1 and the on-duty battalion chief responded. Officers with the Kaua‘i Police Department were also dispatched.
Kauai Now

After Maui, state lawmakers budget funds for firefighting equipment and a fire marshal

Hawaii lawmakers on Wednesday appropriated funds for more firefighting equipment and a state fire marshal after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century ripped through the historic Maui town of Lahaina and exposed shortcomings in the state's readiness for such flames. The House and Senate passed the measures during their first legislative session since the Aug. 8 wildfire killed 101 people. They now go to Gov. Josh Green for his consideration. Climate change has been boosting drought in Hawaii, drying the archipelago's vegetation and increasing the risks of destructive blazes. Wildfires were once rare in Hawaii but they have grown in frequency in recent years. Last year, just months after the Maui blaze, a wildfire burned a large part of the Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge about 20 miles north of Honolulu.
KHPR-FM 88.1 Honolulu

County Council takes up 2 measures supporting project to mitigate wildfire risk in North Hawai‘i

The U.S. Drought Monitor on Wednesday showed that 33.4% of the Big Island is experiencing moderate or severe drought, with much of North Hawai‘i in severe drought. Another 15.4% of the island is abnormally dry. Drought increases the risk of wildfire, an issue the north part of the island is all too familiar with, especially after the massive Mana Road Fire in the summer of 2021. Several other blazes have sparked in the region since, including in August 2023, the same day a deadly wildfire destroyed Lahaina, Maui. The Hawai‘i County Council on Wednesday during a regular session meeting took up two measures in support of mitigating the risk of wildfires in North Hawai‘i, specifically in and around communities that were affected by the Mana Road Fire.
Big Island Now