Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, July 19, 2022

The Power Line wildfire on July 11 was reported 100 percent contained on Tuesday by Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. NPS Photo by C. Ritzman

THE POWER LINE WILDFIRE IS 100 PERCENT CONTAINED on the southeast flank of Mauna Loa in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The fire was held to 42.5 acres in size. Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park reports that Mauna Loa Road remains closed to all public use, and only authorized vehicles are allowed past the gate at Kīpukapuaulu until further notice. Firefighters are working to reduce nearly two miles of hose lay around the fire, and the presence of fire personnel, heavy equipment and vehicles on the road requires its continued temporary closure. Utility crews are conducting inspections and performing tree trimming in the fire area.
    Crews are also working to mop up smoldering patches in the interior of the fire. Hotter, windier weather caused flare ups in grass near the center of the fire. "Firefighters did not get much help from Tropical Storm Darby over the weekend, with less than half an inch of rain on the fire Saturday, and no precipitation since, but are working hard towards full suppression," says the Park statement.

A Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park chainsaw operator,  or sawyer, removes dry vegetation from the Power  Line fire perimeter. NPS Photo by J.Ferracane

  "Falling snags from trees burned in the 2018 Keauhou fire continue to be a hazard for firefighters, making it difficult to safely access and mop up the interior of the fire. Other hazards to firefighters include loose, uneven lava rock terrain."
    The Power Line fire was first reported at 6:09 p.m. on Monday, July 11 and started near a power line road at around 4,800-ft. elevation in the park. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
    No homes or other structures were damaged. The burn has impacted habitat for native birds, and a 1,760-foot section of ungulate-proof fence that protects native forest was damaged. Park staff are evaluating needs and planning for rehabilitation.
   Cooperating agencies that assisted the National Park Service through the initial attack include the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife; County of Hawaiʻi Fire Department, and the U.S. Army's Pōhakuloa Training Area.
    "Most of Hawaiʻi is experiencing dry conditions, ranging from abnormally dry to extreme drought. Most wildfires in Hawaiʻi are started by people. Help protect the ʻāīna and learn how to be fire safe by visiting www.hawaiiwildfire.org/lookout/," urges the statement from Hawai'i Volcanoes.EIGHTEEN MOTORISTS WERE ARRESTED FOR DUI during the week of July 11 through July 17. Hawai`i Island police arrested theM for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Three of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. Five of the drivers were under the age of 21.
    So far this year, there have been 562 DUI arrests compared with 636 during the same period last year, a decrease of 11.6 percent.
    There have been 424 major accidents so far this year compared with 422 during the same period last year, an increase of 0.47 percent.
    To date, there were 20 fatal crashes (one fatal crash reclassified on 5/30/22 due to a medical condition) resulting in 22 fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths, and one of which was reclassified due to a medical condition), compared with 13 fatal crashes, resulting in 13 fatalities for the same time last year. This represents is an increase of 53.8 percent for fatal crashes, and 69.2 percent for fatalities.
    Hawai'i Police Department promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.