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Flare-up of brush fire on Kahoolawe quickly doused

Blaze that began Feb. 22 burned about 9,000 acres

There were no active flames or smoke present Wednesday on Kahoolawe, a day after two burn spots flared up just above Ahupu Valley, said the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commission on Wednesday.

Weekend rains put out most of the active flames of the brush fire that burned more than a week unabated and blackened about 9,000 acres. Helicopters from Windward Aviation were used Tuesday to conduct water drops to stop two small burn fronts from reigniting.

One burn front was traveling inland and the other was heading makai, said KIRC, the caretakers of the uninhabited island formerly used as a U.S. Navy bombing practice site.

All active fronts were doused and the fire’s edge was cooled off, said KIRC, citing information from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife on Maui.

After getting word of small trails of smoke on the island Tuesday, a helicopter with a Forestry Division fire team and KIRC Restoration Manager Paul Higashino flew to check out the situation.

KIRC said the flareup is not a surprise given the extent of the burn and the types of invasive species found on the island. For example kiawe, which was brought in as fodder for animals during Kahoolawe’s ranching era, is known to smolder underground for days or weeks, KIRC said.

In the fire, which began Feb. 22, KIRC sustained damage to a storage facility, a bathroom with composting toilet and inoperable vehicles being used for spare parts. The storage facility held the majority of KIRC’s restoration and irrigation supplies and equipment, five 2,500 gallon water catchment tanks, a fleet of all-terrain vehicles used to transport volunteers and gear to work sites, and watercraft used for ocean management projects and activities.

KIRC said earlier this week that it will be getting a better assessment of the losses from the fire and begin to develop a recovery plan to get back on track with its restoration efforts.

An online campaign to raise funds can be found at www.kindest.com/campaign/kahoolawe-brush-fire-emergency-response-fund. A previous goal of $5,000 has since been increased to $70,000. As of Wednesday afternoon, $5,350, had been raised.

“Reaching our goal of $70,000 will allow us to replace all of the equipment needed to run day-to-day restoration activities on island, including staff-directed and volunteer-supported planting and watering efforts,” the site said.

* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.

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