Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan: 15. Wildfires

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Chapter 15:Hazard Analysis—Wildfires CHAPTER 15 - WILDFIRES 15.1 Description of Hazard Wildfires are becoming known as "wildland" fires, defined as any uncontrolled non- structural fire in a wild area. On this island, wildfires range from moderate size grass fires on ranch land to major scrub ohia fires in the Volcanos National Park. Approximately 1.6 million of the island's 2.6 million acre land area is listed as forested while a large but unstated amount is in pasture and brush; areas on the mountains above the tree line are bare. The County fire department handles most of the fires, sometimes with assistance from the forestry division of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Federal, and landowner crews. Occasionally,there are extensive fires in the National Park which have required fire crews flown in from the mainland to extinguish them. For wildfire and rural use, the Fire Department is equipped with ten tank trucks deployed around the island which have a total capacity of 13,850 gallons. In addition, they have ac- quired two special "brush" trucks for wildfire use. They operate a rescue helicopter and an ambulance helicopter which can dump water when necessary. When more air support is needed small and medium size private helos are hired. The National Guard maintains five large helos (Blackhawks) in Hilo which have water bucket kits and have occasionally been hired from the State (the Guard is a State agency). In addition to DLNR support, federal firefighters may be available from their station in the National Park, National Park crews (Park Rangers), and the Army's Pohakuloa Training Area. The Park and Pohakuloa occupy about 8% of the land area of the island. In coordination with Civil Defense, drought and other fire-hazard conditions are constantly monitored and actions such as burning bans and closures are instituted when needed. The public is informed of these restrictions by radio announcements and newspaper notices. New tools, such as satellite observation of burns, are being examined. 15.2 Significant Historic Events The County Fire Department reported 897 "fire-related incidents" in 2006, these include structural fires, the number of wildfires alone was not available. However, DLNR has reported in the past (in the State Data Book) that 70 to 80 wildfires occurred on this island annually. The 2007 Annual Wildfire Summary for the State of Hawaii is shown in Table 15-1. This data is not separated per county. 15-1 Hawaii County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan