HONOLULU — The Honolulu Fire Department and Hawaii Department of Transportation are working together to identify and mitigate wildland fire hazards on Oahu.

What You Need To Know

  • HDOT began creating firebreaks at both locations using bulldozers from Royal Contracting Company to remove grass and other vegetation, exposing soil to help prevent wildland fires from spreading

  • HDF said it is aware of hundreds of so-called “wildland-urban interface areas” around the island and is working to assess them

  • The HFD’s Fire Prevention Bureau recently identified other high-risk areas in West Oahu and the North Shore, which will be addressed by HDOT and its mitigation efforts as its resources become available

“We welcome collaborations with our state partners to proactively and effectively safeguard the communities that we both serve,” said HFD chief Sheldon Hao. “This collaboration aligns with the HFD’s mission, which is to provide for the safety of our communities through prevention, preparedness and effective emergency response.”

HFD has already identified Varona Village in Ewa Beach and Kili Drive in Makaha as high-risk areas for potential wildland fires.

On Sept. 25, HDOT began creating firebreaks at both locations using bulldozers from Royal Contracting Company to remove grass and other vegetation, exposing soil to help prevent wildland fires from spreading.

“We’re all working together to reduce fire risks to our communities across the state,” said transportation director Ed Sniffen. “Because fire doesn’t care about property lines, clearing areas of concern prioritized by HFD experts makes sense, no matter if it’s state, county, or private property.”

In a release issued on Friday, HDF said it is aware of hundreds of so-called “wildland-urban interface areas” around the island and is working to assess them.

The HFD’s Fire Prevention Bureau recently identified other high-risk areas in West Oahu and the North Shore, which will be addressed by HDOT and its mitigation efforts as its resources become available.

HFD is also encouraging the public to consider the following wildland fire preparedness tips:

  • Create at least a 30-foot safety zone around the house by removing brush and vegetation
  • Prune trees so the lowest branches are six to ten feet from the ground
  • Store flammable materials safely away from the exterior of your home
  • Do not let anything flammable touch your house
  • Do not leave barbeque/charcoal grills unattended
  • Make and practice a family evacuation plan
  • Be aware that wildland fire can spread to treetops
  • Report suspicious activity you may have seen before, during or after a fire
  • Keep fire lanes and access points unobstructed to ensure fire apparatuses can reach your home

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.