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Evacuation notice issued for wildfire to Kaumakani residents on Kauai Monday

Kauai residents look on towards the towns of Hanapepe and Kaumukani Monday on Kaumuaii Highway which has been closed from Lele Road in Hanapēpē to Kaumakani near Aloha Sweet Delites. The Maui News photo

HANAPEPE – Kaua’i Fire Department firefighters, County personnel, and private landowners responded to an estimated 28-acre brush fire in Hanapepe west of Moi Road just before noon on Monday before issuing an evacuation notice at 2:50 p.m.

“Evacuation notice alerted for residents in Kaumakani; Kaumuali’i Highway to be closed from Lele Road in Hanapepe to Kaumakani,” the county’s facebook page posted in addition to emergency text alerts going out to island residents. “Area residents in Kaumakani are advised to evacuate immediately due to a fast-moving brush fire. Kaumuali’i Highway is closed from Lele Road in Hanapepe to Kaumakani near Aloha Sweet Delites. Firefighters and partners continue to respond to this fire. Updates will be provided when more information is available.”

The Department of Education has opened a public shelter at Waimea High School for Kaumakani residents, according to the county of Kauai.

Firefighters with the Hanapepe, Kalaheo, and Waimea fire stations, Tanker 1, Air 1, Air 2, the Department of Public Works, Gay and Robison with a water tanker, and a private contractor with a dozer are responding to the incident, according to the county of Kauai.

“Public safety alert,” the emergency text read. “A wildfire is approaching Kaumakani, evacuate now. LEAVE NOW – Kauai Emergency Management Agency.”

No emergency siren was sounded as an alert to the fire.

Personnel with the Kaua’i Emergency Management Agency are currently at the fire and supporting the response.

According to a preliminary report, Kaua’i Police Dispatch received a report of a brush fire west of Moi Road shortly before noon on Monday. Within three hours an official evacuation notice was issued.

At 3:21 p.m. Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) said, “KIUC is deenergizing lines feeding members in Kaumakani as a precaution due to the fire area.”

Some residents reported receiving conflicting information from emergency notifications.

A firetruck out of Waimea town makes its way to a fire located near the town of Kaumakani Monday. The Maui News Photo

“We are receiving reports that some residents were notified of a flash flood warning, today. To clarify, there is no flash flood warning and Kaumakani residents are currently being evacuated due to a fast-moving brush fire in the area. Kaumuali’i Highway remains closed from Lele Road in Hanapepe to Kaumakani near Aloha Sweet Delites. Updates will be provided when more information is available,” the County of Kauai posted as an update at 3:30 p.m. Monday.

Three helicopters were seen making drops on the fire as wind gust were 15-20 mph to the southwest in the area of the fire. They were drawing water from the nearby Hanapepe River as onlookers waited for the highway to open. Many of them were stuck in the eastbound lane after the highway closure.

Located on the leeward side of Kauai, Kaumakani and the nearby area has an estimated population of just over 4,000 and sees significantly lower amounts of precipitation during the summer months. The nearby town of Hanapepe has an estimated population of 2,242 residents according to the 2022 census.

A helicopter is seen heading towards a brush fire in the vicinity of the small town of Kaumukani on the Westside of Kauai. The Maui News photo

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