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Wildfire prevention strategy meeting in Volcano (Sept. 28)

MEDIA RELEASE

Park Managers and Fire Officials from the National Park Service and Hawaii County to Meet with Community to Discuss Severity of Fire Situation and Wildfire Prevention Strategies

WHAT: The fire severity situation within and, in certain areas, adjacent to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is at an all time high.

Since last December, a mere 3 inches of rain have fallen in areas of the park that would normally receive 50 inches or more annually.

Residents, and even visitors, have noticed that native plants such as koa, ohia, pukiawe, and uluhe are turning brown, dropping leaves, and dying due to the prolonged drought in and adjacent to the park.

The tinder adds to the wildfire hazard.

On Tuesday, September 28 from 5-6:30 p.m., national park and Hawaii county fire officials will hold a community meeting at the Volcano Golf Course clubhouse to discuss current conditions.

A target audience is owners and residents of Volcano Golf Course and Subdivision, Volcano Winery, Kapapala Ranch, Keauhou Bird Conservation Center, and Keauhou Ranch/Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate.

Adjacent to the park, those areas continue to be hard hit by drought.

This will be an opportunity for residents to meet the firefighters and hear what resources they have in place to battle wildfires.

It is also an opportunity to learn the steps residents should take now to prevent a wildfire and actions to take in event of a wildfire.

Officials hope the meeting will stimulate Fire Wise behavior–prevention and preparedness–and encourage neighbors to work together to prevent loss.

We all play a role in protecting the park, ourselves, and each other from the risk of wildfire.

WHEN: 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28

WHERE: Volcano Golf Course Clubhouse, Pii Mauna Drive, Ka‘u

WHO: Cindy Orlando, Superintendent, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; Joe Molhoek, Pacific Area Fire Management Officer, National Park Service; Rhonda Loh, Chief of Natural Resources Management, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; Warren Sumida, On-duty Battalion Chief, Hawaii Fire Department “A” Platoon, Company-19, Hawaii Fire Department; Denise Laitinen, Hawaii State Firewise Coordinator

One Response to “Wildfire prevention strategy meeting in Volcano (Sept. 28)”

  1. Chris says:

    Hoping for a more wet wet season this year!

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