A torched abandoned vehicle stand in the foreground on Waimea Canyon Drive, one of the two roads into Waimea Canyon State Park on the westside of Kauai Thursday. An estimated 1,200 acres burned overnight as the fire was eventually 100% contained Friday. Photos courtesy DLNR

WAIMEA, KAUA’I – A fire that started on the drive up to Waimea Canyon State Park on Kauai’s westside quickly spread overnight on Thursday into Friday morning, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

According to the DLNR, “quick actions by firefighters from the Kaua’i Fire Department (KFD) and the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), kept a fast-moving brush fire above Waimea, Kaua’i, from spreading beyond an estimated 300 acres. It is called the Hukipo fire.”

On Friday morning, local estimates of acreage burned stood at 1,200.

“A brush fire scorched more than 1,200 acres in Kōke’e, Kaua’i including approximately 500 acres of Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) lands early this morning,” a press release from The State of Hawaii ADC stated. “No injuries or structural damage were reported. Kaua’i Fire Department and county and state officials are on scene. Investigations are underway, and updates will follow.”

The DLNR said fire crews were aided by firebreaks surrounding former sugar cane lands that are cleared by DOFAW crews at the beginning of each summer fire season. DOFAW termed the fire 60%-contained on Thursday evening, and 100% contained on Friday morning.

“While we had ample moisture this spring and the vegetation is green, this is a perfect example of how invasive non-native plants like haole koa and Guinea grass provide hearty fuel for wildfires,” said Sheri S. Mann, DOFAW Kaua’i branch manager.

Approximately 17 DOFAW firefighters, 10 KFD firefighters and two KFD helicopters conducting water drops, kept flames isolated mostly within the perimeter of existing firebreaks.

According to the DLNR, fire investigators believe a car fire, just off Waimea Canyon Drive, may have started the fire. Many cars are abandoned in that area and remain there for several years, despite local efforts to have them removed by community members.

A fire on August 5, 2023, near the Russian Fort or Pa’ula’ula was contained just before spreading to the nearby town of Waimea. The Robinson family, who owns the island of Niihau and resides in Waimea, aided KFD with water trucks and people to help the fire from spreading.

Homelessness and camp fires have been an issue in the area for decades, with homeless encampments visible near Waimea Landing State Recreation Pier in Waimea town.

Fire prevention experts caution people not to park cars over dry grass, to use care when using tools that can spread sparks, to be sure campfires are out cold, and not to set off fireworks.

“Between the high temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds today, we were lucky,” Mann said of the fire.

As predicted drought conditions are expected to intensify in the coming months, the possibility of larger and more intense wildfires will increase, the DLNR said in a press release.

Fire managers and the Hawai’i Wildfire Management Organization urge everyone to become educated about the causes of wildfires and to take steps now to protect their homes and property.”