PDC Updates | Aug 22, 2007
Oahu Wildfire
This image of the western-most extent of the island of Oahu clearly shows the farms and ranches that were damaged or threatened by the wildfire. (Source: PDC’s Hawaii Natural Hazards and Vulnerabilities Atlas.)

The Honolulu Advertiser of Monday, August 20, reported that the Waialua wildfire, which broke out on Sunday, August 12, was 100 percent contained on Sunday, August 19. The weeklong blaze had spread over more than 7,000 acres, starting near the University of Hawaii Experimental Farm in the area of Kaukonahua Road. The fire was battled by up to 125 firefighters, plus workers from City and County of Honolulu departments of Parks and Recreation, Transportation Services, Facilities Maintenance, Police and the Board of Water Supply. When Hawaii State Civil Defense (HSCD) Vice Director Ed Teixeira surveyed the fire from a helicopter, he was carrying imagery maps created for the event by PDC. Maps were provided to Hawaii’s Deputy Attorney General, HSCD Assistant Operations Officer and HSCD Lead Project Officer to assist them with planning operations during the firefighting. The maps are expected to be used as documentary support for a FEMA Fire Grant. According to KITV-4 news, there were seven helicopters in use to drop water on the fire by Wednesday, August 15. Honolulu Fire Chief Ken Silva told the Advertiser on Monday, August 20, that firefighters were still dealing with hot spots in the flanks of the Waianae Mountains and that the fire would not be declared “out” for at least 48 more hours. That declaration was made on Tuesday as expected.

KITV-4 and other local news resources have quoted local farmers and ranchers describing their losses. On KITV-4’s website there is a report that “Waialua Ranch lost almost $1 million just in livestock fencing,” while others in the area had major losses of crops and pastures. “You feel for the farmers [and] ranchers,” said Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann. “That’s their livelihood, what keeps them going, so we are obviously going to have to help them… to lead productive lives again now.”

Wildfire 1 Wildfire 2
Left: Water-drops were done by up to seven helicopters at a time during the fight with this wildfire. (Image: KITV-4)
Right: This area, near Pearl City, Oahu, is an example of the success of controlled burning to prevent wildfires, but such land clearing cannot be practiced in all areas. (Image: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Please refer to the links below for additional information on Hawaii wildfires: