2 evacuation areas open for Kunia brushfire evacuees

Yahoo

a day ago

MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER Plumes of smoke can be seen from the roadway.
1 /2 MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER Plumes of smoke can be seen from the roadway.
ESRI The evacuation area is highlighted on the map. Click here to view the map.
2 /2 ESRI The evacuation area is highlighted on the map. to view the map.
MICHELLE BIR / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER Plumes of smoke can be seen from the roadway.
ESRI The evacuation area is highlighted on the map. Click here to view the map.
UPDATE : 4 :53 p.m.
'Patrol units responded to a number of brush fires this past week in districts, 2, 5 and 8, but no additional arson cases have been made, ' said HPD in a statement.
HPD said the most recent brush fire in Waipio Friday appears to have been a re-ignition of a hotspot from the one on Wednesday. Another fire in the area may have been accidental.
'We are in the dry season where high temperatures, low humidity and low rainfall make us susceptible to brush fires, ' said HPD in a statement. 'We urge everyone to be mindful when disposing of coals or cooking with open flame, especially in windy conditions.'
4 :06 p.m.
Hoaeae Community Park at 94-709 Kaaholo St., and Waipahu District Park have opened as evacuation areas.
Pets are welcome in both areas but they must be on a carrier or on a leash.
Evacuees are urged to bring emergency supplies and medications with them.
3 p.m.
Honolulu officials have ordered the evacuation of Kunia Camp and the Kunia Headstart School at Kunia Drive and Kunia Road, respectfully.
County officials issued the evacuation order at about 2 :50 p.m. via HNL Alert.
'An evacuation order has been issued due to WILDLAND FIRE in Kunia, ' said the alert. 'The fire poses an immediate threat to lives /property. Visibility in area will be reduced and roads can become blocked ; if you do not leave now, you could be trapped, injured, or killed.'
Officials said to leave now if in the evacuation area and to take the following steps :
1. Gather family members. Assist neighbors who need help evacuating if you can do so safely.
2. Bring pets if you can locate and secure them quickly.
3. Do not delay to pack or prepare your home. Take only essential items you have ready to go NOW.
4. Alert neighbors who may not have received this message if you are able to do so safely and quickly.
Stay out of the area until further notice and call 911 for emergencies only.
EARLIER TODAY Honolulu firefighters are once again battling a brush fire in the Kunia area that broke out shortly after noon today.
The Honolulu Fire Department received a 911 call at about 12 :03 p.m. for the brush fire near Kunia Camp. More than a dozen units appear to have responded.
Plumes of smoke can be seen from the roadway.
Police have closed Kuni Road and Anonui Street in all directions as crews battle the fires. Officials have issued a traffic advisory via HNL Alert asking the public to avoid the area.
It is at least the third time that HFD has responded to major brush fires in the Kunia area over the past week.
On Friday, 13 units fought a 50-acre wildfire near the Kunia Loa Ridge Farmlands reported at about 12 :20 p.m. The Air 1 helicopter assisted with water drops, while a state Department of Transportation tanker on scene helped refill HFD tankers to shuttle water to fire engines battling the fire in the area.
Last Tuesday, HFD also responded to a wildland fire at 94-1100 Kunia Road shortly after 9 :30 p.m. near the Hawaii Country Club. That fire was contained after three hours, with the incident closed shorely before 1.m. Wednesday.
Honolulu police said they were searching for a possible male suspect who allegedly started that brush fire, based on a report from a witness, and opened an for that case.
No injuries or evacuations were reported from the previous two wildfires in Kunia.
No further details on the current fire are available at this time.
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