David Y. Ige

HONOLULU —  A north shore wildfire burning uphill today toward the state Mokule‘ia Forest Reserve and Pahole Natural Area Reserve may put significant natural resources and endangered species at risk.  A crew of 14 DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW)  firefighters with two water tank trucks and helicopter dip tanks has responded to a fire in the Mokule‘ia area, located east of the Mokuleia Forest Reserve access road and west of Kaala road. The Honolulu Fire Department and Honolulu Police Department personnel are is on scene with two helicopters doing water drops. DOFAW has contracted two type 3 helicopters and a type 1 helicopter for water drops.

Fire size estimate is not available at this time.

DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers are on scene turning away hikers and bikers wanting to use the Mokule‘ia Forest Reserve access road to Peacock Flat campground. These mountain areas, including the Peacock Flats Campground, will remain closed until the fire is contained. Access via the Kaena Point Satellite Tracking station road is also closed until further notice.

”We recognize the access road is popular with hikers and bikers. We appreciate their cooperation with this closure for safety reasons,” said Marigold Zoll, DOFAW O‘ahu branch manager.

The Pahole Natural Area Reserve encompasses a complex valley system in the northern Wai‘anae Mountains. The area is known for its natural diversity and extends from the summit ridge down to the dry lowlands of Mokule‘ia. The reserve contains a rare dry forest, a rare mesic forest, critically endangered kahuli, or Hawaiian tree snails, lowland mesic forests, dry shrublands.

# # #

Media contact:

Deborah Ward

DLNR Communications specialist

Phone: (808) 587-0320