Brush Fire Near Waimea Canyon Drive Draws Resources, Road Closed Overnight, Controlled

Waimea Canyon Drive near mile marker 2 in Waimea remained closed Sunday after a brush fire that scorched about 100 acres and pulled county and state firefighting resources to the scene. The Kaua‘i Fire Department described the blaze as under control while crews continued suppression and extinguishing spot fires along the fire line.

KFD and media reports say the fire was first reported about 9:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7, with an early estimate of roughly 200 feet by 300 feet. HNN reported that at 10:40 p.m. KFD said crews had knocked down the southern flank and were relocating to the northern flank to continue firefighting. KauaiNow posted an initial update at 11:37 p.m. Saturday noting Waimea stations were actively engaged.

County of Kaua‘i officials issued a GovDelivery release at 2:45 a.m. Sunday saying, “According to a preliminary report, crews have the fire under control.” The county release listed responding units and assets and said there were no threats to nearby structures and no reports of injuries. The release also noted that Department of Land and Natural Resourced Division of Forestry and Wildlife personnel and wildland fire fighters will continue to remain on scene until it is deemed safe to stand down.

KFD and local outlets provided expanded Sunday updates. KauaiNow’s 11:00 a.m. update said, “The brush fire burning near mile marker 2 on Waimea Canyon Drive has scorched about 100 acres but remains under control, according to the Kauaʻi Fire Department.” HNN reported KFD’s Sunday morning and afternoon status that crews were “putting out spot fires along the fire line” and, as of 2:00 p.m., that “KFD reports crews have the fire under control despite active flames and will remain on scene to continue suppression efforts.”

Multiple firefighting assets were listed across official and media accounts. Kaua‘i Fire Department units on scene included personnel from the Waimea station and support from Hanapepe, Kalaheo and Koloa stations, Rescue 3, Tanker 3, Tanker 5 and an on‑duty Battalion Chief. Air support included KFD’s Air 1 helicopter and contract aircraft from Jack Harter Helicopters, Inc. A dozer and dozer crews were deployed, and the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife provided wildland firefighters. The Kaua‘i Police Department and the County Department of Public Works responded in support, and the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency monitored the incident.

KauaiNow’s 1:00 p.m. Sunday update reiterated operational status and road restrictions, stating, “Waimea Canyon Drive remains closed in the vicinity until state Division of Forestry and Wildlife crews clear the scene.” County and state personnel are expected to remain on site until officials determine it is safe to stand down, and KFD continued working Sunday to extinguish spot fires along the perimeters of the burned area.