KAWAIHAE VILLAGE — Again, the pillar of smoke over Kawaihae was visible from 10 miles away Friday, flames consuming wildland and threatening homes. It was a mirror of the the Aug. 8 fires that began in the same area and torched 3,000 acres.
The residents of Kawaihae Village had another immediate view of the progressing blaze, as several watched the varying size of the smoke column, the actions of the Fire Department’s water-dropping helicopters and efforts of ground-based firefighters.
The blaze was reported about 1:15 p.m. near mile marker 65 and burned about 150 to 175 acres of wildland shortly before 3 p.m., said Hawaii Fire Department West Hawaii Battalion Chief Joseph Farias.
The fight was undertaken by the Hawaii Fire Department, PTA Fire Department, Parker Ranch and volunteer firefighters. They were assisted with water drops by Chopper 2.
Two firefighters suffered injuries related to the fire, when a Hawaii County apparatus and a second vehicle collided. Farias declined to provide any additional information.
Ultimately, no homes within the Kawaihae Village area were threatened.
Farias said that conditions were favorable for fighting the fire thanks to overcast conditions and a decrease in wind speed. The wind was more variable in speed and direction than is common is the region, buffeting firefighters and watchers.
A line of people sat on or stood near their vehicles that filled the inbound lane into the village.
Eric Maiefeski, a resident, and his friend Kaipo Pomroy had just returned from the beach and were watching the equipment in action.
Maiefeski moved to the area about two weeks ago, missing the summer fire. The two men were watching the firefighters spray down the surrounding terrain, while other residents were watching a ridge.
That ridge, about 1,600 feet away, hid the fire and any progress made by firefighters working mauka.
Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira said on Monday that they expect the upcoming dry season to have numerous fires. The unusually heavy rains encouraged plant growth, he said, particularly fountain grass. The invasive species survives fires, unlike native life, and “makes excellent fuel for fires,” according to the Hawaii Invasive Species Council.
Oliveira said fountain grass forms the majority of fuel in the wildfires they see.
Kawaihae Road was closed at the intersections with Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Kohala Mountain Road because of the fire and the accident. Officers were staged farther south to have people turn around on Waikoloa Road, the closest east-west road available. It was reopened around 3:15 p.m.
Firefighters were able to contain the current fire, using firebreaks left from the summer fire, said Farias.
Two units were parked at the village for much of the fire, lower than the infusion of numerous units last time.
Chelsea Jensen contributed to this report.