Moloka’i brush fire reportedly contained

Molokai Brush Fire Scorches 3,000 Acres

5 June 2007

published by www.thehawaiichannel.com

Honolulu, USA — A brush fire charred morethan 3,000 acres on Molokai since it broke out on Monday.

The fire started at about noon on the west side of the island near Kaluakoi.

It did not threaten any homes, and no injuries have been reported.

“It came in. It was pretty windy. It moved pretty quickly. The terrainis such that we can’t get to certain areas. Prevailing trade winds are movingabout 20 mph,” Maui Fire Department Battalion Chief Frank Tam said.

Firefighters from Molokai and Maui teamed up to battle the fire. Threehelicopters and four water tankers helped in the effort.

“The biggest challenge is the wind, the type of terrain it is and thevery heavy brush. The fact that there are very limited resources on Molokai isalso a challenge. Just a few firetrucks to battle a 3,000-acre blaze, as opposedto if it were on Oahu or Maui,” Tam said.

Officials said they do not know how the fire started.

At one point, authorities closed Maunaloa Highway.