HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-14 Waimea Fire Fighting Effort -- press release
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 Fax (808) 323-4440
July 14, 2017
NEWS RELEASE
Mayor Recognizes Numerous Agencies, Private Entities for Fighting Waimea Fire
Mayor Harry Kim on Friday expressed his appreciation to Federal, State, County
agencies and private entities for their response to the recent Waimea fire, which burned
some 2,200 acres of pasture last week.
The effort to put out the July 7 brush fire involved the County of Hawai'i Fire
Department; Hawai'i Police Department; and the County of Hawai'i Department of
Public Works; the State Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of
Fisheries and Wildlife; State Highways Division; the Department of Hawaiian Home
Lands; the Pōhakuloa Training Area’s Fire Department.
Waimea residents swung into action, too. Parker Ranch mobilized a water tanker
to help fight the blaze. Glenn Bertlemann and Kamuela Bertlemann brought in D-8 and
D-6 bulldozers, and Rocket Fergerstrom brought in a D-9 bulldozer.
“This was a tremendous cooperative effort, where everybody came together to
control, contain and put out the fire,” Mayor Kim said. “I cannot find words to express
how much I appreciate everyone’s hard work, quick action and the tremendous team
system of responding to this fire.”
The fire, whose cause is under investigation, destroyed one home and a vehicle.
Some farm animals were also lost in the blaze.
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.