PTA fire crews control flames

By Lacey Justinger, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Public AffairsSeptember 7, 2010

WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii - The wildfire at the U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii's Pohakuloa Training Area, which began at approximately 9:30 a.m., Aug. 22, about a quarter mile east of PTA's main gate by Mauna Kea State Park, is 80-percent extinguished and has burned an estimated 1,386 acres, as of Sept. 1.

Winds continue to affect visibility for those in the area, due to blowing dust and ash circling through the dry air.

Army fire crews, the Hawaii County Fire Department and personnel from National Park Service and Hawaii's Division of Forestry and Wildlife battled the blaze with tankers, brush tanks, fire engines, bulldozers and helicopters for 11 days.

Ground crews are currently conducting mop-up and patrol operations. Although the fire appears to be quenched, the recovery operations will continue for two weeks to ensure the fire is completely smothered. This accounts for the remaining 20-percent of fire-control in the environment.

No structures have been burned and no injuries to firefighters, Soldiers or civilians have been reported at this time.

As of Aug. 24, the fire was 55-percent contained with firebreaks dug on the fire's east and west flanks. Saddle Road also provided a firebreak to the south.

Firefighters from Oahu, Maui and the Big Island had joined forces to douse the flames. Six helicopter crews (three contracted, one from Marine Corps Base Hawaii and two from the Hilo Hawaii Army National Guard) worked together to combat the spread of the fire.

By Friday, the wildfire had provided additional challenges for the 150 firefighters working that day, as it centered on the south slope of Mauna Kea, where the terrain is steep with lava substrate and soil composed of volcanic ash.

Power and communication lines were damaged, thus impacting local communities, as the area is a critical communication conduit between Kona and Hilo. Bradshaw Army Airfield was closed for general aviation.

Crews from all over the islands joined together and proved the true spirit of Hawaiian ohana, forming families from the diverse agencies who all worked toward a common goal of protecting and preserving the aina, or land.

All personnel are still working diligently to ensure the safety of all Soldiers, civilians and community members in the area.