Firefighters extinguish multiple brush fires along Kalepa Ridge Sunday night
LĪHU‘E – Firefighters responded to several small brush fires Sunday night in the area near Kalepa Ridge in Hanamā‘ulu.
No injuries were reported or structures threatened during the response.
While returning from a previous call around 6:30 p.m., Līhu‘e firefighters noticed a brush fire on the hill behind an industrial area and the Kalepa Village apartments in Hanamā‘ulu. Līhu‘e firefighters notified dispatch and requested additional units to respond.
Additional Līhu‘e and Kapa‘a firefighters responded to the call, along with the on-duty battalion chief.
Once on scene, firefighters found an area 100 feet by 50 feet of brush and trees on fire, as well as several spot fires spread over a wide area along the Kalepa Ridge dirt bike trail.
Rescue 3 personnel used tank water to knock down the north flank of the fire, with Līhu‘e and Kapa‘a firefighters assisting with shuttling water and extinguishing the fire. The north flank was deemed under control and fully knocked down shortly after. Firefighters then proceeded to extinguish the fire near the water tank.
Firefighters continued to put out small fires and hot spots in different locations along Kalepa Ridge. They remained on scene to mop up and cleared the area at approximately 10 p.m.
Crews returned to the area Monday morning at approximately 6:15 a.m. due to a flare up. They cleared the scene at 7 a.m.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but officials believe it was intentionally set.
“Wildfires remain a top concern for communities statewide,” said Kaua‘i Fire Chief Michael Gibson. “There really is no excuse for this type of reckless behavior which is putting lives and property at serious risk. We urge the public for their help in identifying anyone involved in Sunday’s incident.”
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i by calling 808-246-8300 or through the Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i P3 Tips Mobile App. Any information you provide to Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i will remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i is a non-profit organization that offers cash rewards of up to $1,000 to anyone furnishing anonymous information that leads to an arrest. If the situation is an emergency, please call 911.
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