KAUMAKANI, Hawaii — Firefighters have contained a wind-swept wildfire that was threatening about 200 homes in Hanapepe, Kauai, authorities said late Monday night, and an evacuation notice for the area has been lifted.

The fire burned 1.56 square miles of land between Hanapepe and Kaumakani, the County of Kauai said in a social media post. Firefighters said one building — a shed that wasn't attached to a home — was destroyed by the fire.

The fire was reported around noon in the Hanapepe area, about 3 miles to the east of Kaumakani, Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami said Monday. It was spreading fast, and officials warned residents in the Kaumakani area of the need to flee by activating a siren system and sending authorities door-to-door as well as notifying them by phone calls and texts, Kawakami said.

“This fire came dangerously close to residential neighborhoods and it was only because of the efforts of our first responders and partner agencies that we were successful in protecting life and property. Our island is blessed to have a team who care deeply about the safety and well-being of our people, including our state and county emergency personnel, first responders, community partners, and our partners at PMRF who are always willing to assist when we are in need,” said Mayor Derek Kawakami in a statement. “I am incredibly grateful for everyone’s collective efforts, the assistance of Acting Governor Sylvia Luke and her team, and reminded once again of the strength, generosity, and commitment of our close-knit community.”

Fire crews dropped water from helicopters and used heavy machinery to create breaks to prevent the fire from spreading. They also tried to stop the fire on the ground, the mayor said. Electricity was cut off to users on the west side of the island because of the fire.

The blaze was fully contained just before midnight, officials said. Kauai Fire Department crews stayed on site to maintain a fire watch, and sensors were installed in the area to detect any flare-ups.

Chad Machado, who owns JP’s Pizza with his son in Kaumakani, was making dough while the shop was closed Monday when he noticed the fire up in the mountains.

“Within half an hour, it was two football fields away,” he said.

He and son tried to stick around, shooting water around the shop. But the smoke got too bad, so they went home to Kekaha.

“People were running out with suitcases. It was utter chaos,” he said. “So much smoke we couldn’t breathe.”

He said the community is a former sugar plantation community and landowners were using tractors to push the fire away, similar to what they did during the plantation era.

Community information:

The Department of Water, or DOW, has lifted the conservation notice for Hanapepe, Waimea and Kekaha customers as of approximately 6 a.m. Customers may now resume normal water use.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include a statement from Mayor Derek Kawakami. (July 16, 2024)