SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii — In an effort to prevent brushfires that could threaten over 30 species of endangered plants and animals, the U.S. Army will be conducting a prescribed burn of the Schofield Barracks training range complex, April 15-19.

What You Need To Know

  • The Army utilizes prescribed burns in its arsenal to manage invasive vegetation that could become fuel sources for brushfires, which could in turn threaten natural resources and endangered species such as the Oahu ʻelepaio, the endangered flycatcher bird that makes its home in habitat above the range

  • Army staff will monitor humidity, wind and the concentration of natural fuel in the burn areas to try and minimize smoke and ash

  • The prescribed burn will only take place during the day with Army Wildland firefighters remaining onsite each night to monitor the area

After much preparation that included coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure state, federal and Army requirements were met, the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Clean Air Branch gave their approval for the burn.

The Wildland Fire Division will conduct the prescribed burn pending environmental conditions such as wind, temperature and moisture are within set parameters for burns.

The Army utilizes prescribed burns in its arsenal to manage invasive vegetation that could become fuel sources for brushfires, which could in turn threaten natural resources and endangered species such as the Oahu ʻelepaio, the endangered flycatcher bird that makes its home in habitat above the range.

“Prescribed burns help prevent brushfire outbreaks on our training ranges and can reduce the number of brushfires by upwards of 70% annually,” said U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii Wildland Fire Program Manager Justin Tumbo, in a news release.

“We anticipate completing the burn in approximately three days. There’s a short time period following the wet winter months when all prescribed burn parameters are right, prior to the dry summer months,” said Tumbo.

Army staff will monitor humidity, wind and the concentration of natural fuel in the burn areas to try to minimize smoke and ash. Throughout the burn, smoke modeling software will be used to detect the direction and amount of smoke produced.

“Controls on the smoke duration and amounts are very important and we will be monitoring weather data, smoke production and fire behavior to make informed decisions and adjustments as needed,” said Tumbo. “We will be making all feasible precautions to lessen potential impacts on our neighbors.”

The Army’s firefighters, aviators, engineers, range and safety officers, natural and cultural resources specialists, explosive ordnance disposal personnel, and law enforcement personnel will be on hand to support the burn.

The prescribed burn will only take place during the day, with Army Wildland firefighters remaining onsite each night to monitor the area. The Federal Fire Department will also be on standby during the burn.

The public can contact the Army’s Public Affairs office at 808-824-1345 or email usarmy.hawaii.pao@army.mil with questions.

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.