BIG ISLAND NEWS: PU‘U ANAHULU MAUKA FIRE NOW AT 500 ACRES

State, county and federal firefighters are continuing efforts today to contain a wildfire on state land at Pu‘u Anahulu on the Big Island. A total of 45 firefighters are combating the fire, including 31 personnel from Dept. of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, 5 personnel from Hawaii County Fire Department, and 5 from Pohakuloa Training Area, along with 2 contract bulldozers and 1 water tender.

The fire was reported at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31. The Hawai‘i County Fire Dept. made the initial attack on the fire. The Department of Land and Natural Resources was informed of the fire shortly thereafter and sent crews to the site last night.

On Tuesday a total of 67 personnel had responded to the fire, including 33 firefighters from Hawai‘i County Fire Department, 6 firefighters from Pohakuloa Training Area, and 26 firefighters from DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, along with 2 contract bulldozers. The crews were able to construct a dozer fire line along the fire perimeter to keep it from spreading.

The fire is approximately 500 acres in size as of this morning. The area that is burning is within the state Pu‘u Anahulu Game Management Area. The north flank of the fire is within a ¼-mile of the Pohakuloa Training Area but does not pose a threat. The fire is burning in fountain grass. No threatened and endangered plant species are involved.

The fire is now 59% contained. On-site personnel will continue to shore up the dozer line around the fire perimeter today and begin mop-up procedures.

Right now, weather is the limiting factor. Unstable air will cross the fire line today which could result in showers and possible thunderstorms during the afternoon.

The cause of the fire was determined to be lightning.