8:30 a.m., 7/20, Update: Koke‘e brush fire response continues Saturday

Published on July 20, 2024

KOKE‘E – The multi-agency response to the Koke‘e brush fire remains ongoing Saturday, with air assets deployed this morning.

Overnight ground crews responded to a flare up on the eastern flank of the fire Friday night, which did not threaten any structures. The blaze subsided around 2:30 a.m. and greatly diminished by 4 a.m. Saturday. Crews remain on scene as the fire is still estimated to be 40% contained.

No injuries have been reported and no structures are currently threatened.

ROAD CLOSURES: Koke‘e Road and Waimea Canyon Drive remain closed in both directions until further notice for firefighting operations.

SHELTER IN PLACE: A voluntary evacuation for the Koke‘e and Waimea Canyon State Park areas was initiated Friday, and a shelter in place is now in effect in Koke‘e as extended road closures continue. There are no residential homes in this area. As such, no shelters are available at this time.

KIUC: KIUC personnel are inspecting poles and lines potentially impacted by the fire. There is no estimate yet on when power will be restored to Koke‘e. Those impacted should prepare for an extended outage in the event repairs or pole replacements are necessary. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

RESPONDING AGENCIES: Responding agencies include the Kaua‘i Fire Department, Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) - Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) and Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), Kaua‘i Police Department, Department of Public Works, Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF), Līhu‘e Airport - Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF), Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC), Kekaha Agriculture Association, Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency, Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency, Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (DOT) Highways Division, Hawai‘i National Guard, and multiple private contractors.

The Kaua‘i Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains partially activated under a unified command.

Updates will continue to be posted as information becomes available.

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