HWY 132, 3MM Brush Fire Report
2:29pm, Saturday 9/5/2020
13 HFD apparatus, 22 personnel
Brush fire approximately 5 acres in cane grass.
CAUSE: Resident Cutting Metal created a spark
Person was cutting metal post and ignighted nearby dry guinea grass. With moderage winds, fire swept through ‘Cane Grass’ up to 10′ tall that was still partially green. The result was a fast moving fire that created a ‘dirty burn’. A dirty burn is when the fire burns lighter/dryer material and leaves sticks, stem and more substantial parts of plants intact with lingering hot spots throughout. Once extinguished, these dirty burns have a high likelyhood of rekindling: Whether burning underground or via stems/branch tips that rekindle with the addition of wind. Pahoa, HPP and Kea’au Fire Stations, along with volunteer units from lower puna worked the fire to extinguishment. No injuries. One unpermitted shack was destroyed; along with all of the contents.
15 Acres burned
