11:55 PM UPDATE: Kaumakani and Hanapēpē fire 100% contained
Published on July 16, 2024
Kaua‘i Fire Department officials have confirmed that the Kaumakani and Hanapēpē fire has been 100% contained. With the fire fully contained, the evacuation notice for Kaumakani residents has been lifted.
KFD personnel will maintain a fire watch throughout the night. N5 sensors have been installed in Kaumakani and Hanapēpē Heights to detect flareups. Re-assessment will be conducted by air and ground assets at first light tomorrow morning.
SHELTER INFO: Two shelters currently remain open – one at Waimea High School and one at Hanapēpē Neighborhood Center. If you are west of the Makaweli Post Office and need shelter, please head to Waimea High School cafeteria. If you are east of Hanapēpē and need shelter, please head to Hanapēpē Neighborhood Center.
ROAD UPDATE: Kaumuali‘i Highway, between Lele Road in Hanapēpē and Kaumakani near Aloha Sweet Delites, is now open for one lane of alternating traffic. For updates on road closures, call 808-241-1725.
KAUMAKANI: Fire officials have confirmed one structure in Kaumakani Camp was destroyed by the fire. It appears to have been a shed with no homes attached. No injuries were reported.
FIRE RESPONSE: As of this update, the fire has scorched an area estimated at 1,000 acres between Hanapēpē and Kaumakani.
KIUC INFO: Approximately 1,100 members are currently out as the members in Kekaha, Mana, Hanapēpē, Kaumakani, Pākalā, and Kokee were de-energized. Waimea will remain powered for the time being in order to support KVMH and the designated west side shelter. Members in Waimea are encouraged to conserve power to the greatest extent possible. Crews will be working through the night to replace damaged poles and lines. Once repairs are complete, KIUC will have to inspect all lines to ensure they can be safely re-energize.
WATER NOTICE: The Department of Water (DOW) has issued a water conservation notice for customers from Hanapēpē to Kekaha until further notice. Customers are advised to limit water use to essential needs only to avoid a water service outage.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH: DOH encourages impacted residents and visitors to take appropriate actions to protect against smoke exposure. Additional information to plan, prepare and protect yourself before, during and after a wildfire can be found at the American Lung Association’s website at: https://www.lung.org/clean-air/emergencies-and-natural-disasters/wildfires.
KPD DISPATCH: Kaua‘i Police Dispatch advises the community not to call 9-1-1 for updates. Only call for EMERGENCIES. Dispatchers are being inundated with too many calls.
EOC ACTIVATED: The Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operation Center remains fully activated.
Updates will be provided when more information is available.
According to a preliminary report, Kaua‘i Police Dispatch received a report of a brush fire west of Moi Road shortly before noon on Monday.
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