Fire prevention is everyone’s job Public safety, MECO representatives discuss rash of summer blazes

https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2019/08/fire-prevention-is-everyones-job/

KIHEI — With this summer’s rash of brush fires, everyone — from landowners to residents — needs to take precautions to protect lives and property, county public safety officials told a town hall meeting Tuesday.

“A few of the fires have caused a lot of anxiety and disruption in our community,” said Capt. Paul Haake of the county Fire Prevention Bureau. “Even if it’s an accidental fire, it can still grow and have a pretty big impact.

“It’s not just something that these landowners with only these undeveloped lands have to address, it’s not just something that they have to do to keep us safe.”

Pointing to the full crowd of attendees at St. Theresa Church’s Stawatz Hall, Haake said “some of the efforts are going to have to come from our part . . . from the people in here.”

County Council Chairwoman Kelly King, who holds the council’s South Maui residency seat, called the meeting following summer fires that have burned thousands of acres in South Maui. The largest and most dangerous of the fires started July 11 and burned 9,000 acres. It forced the evacuation of hundreds of north Kihei residents, cut off all access to South Maui for several hours, and threatened homes and the Maalaea Power Plant.

Read the entire story here:

https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2019/08/fire-prevention-is-everyones-job/