HONOLULU – Sixteen firefighters from the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife continue to fight a wild fire burning in the Waianae Kai Forest Reserve on Oahu’s leeward coast, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said in a press release Saturday. The fire which started on grasslands two days ago, spread into the reserve on Friday and as of mid-day has burned 1,000 acres.
It is critical habitat for rare plants, and invertebrates such as land snails and picture wing flies. The watershed provides drinking water for the municipal supply of the Waianae coast.
One fire break was created by a cement road maintained by the Honolulu Board of Water Supply. On the other side is a “green break” of native plants that the West Waianae Watershed Partnership has been planting for the past three years. Some of these plants were singed but, by and large most of this area was not burned.
Firefighters say the objective of the day is to keep the fire from further encroaching into the watershed and to keep it west of the Kumaipo trail and ridge top. People are urged to stay out of the forest reserve while firefighting activities are taking place.