NASA’s Advanced Land Imager (ALI) on the Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite captured a false-color image of the area on March 18, 2011. Click on image for larger photo. Image courtesy of NASA

By Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Remote Automated Weather Station. Photo courtesy of the National Park Service

As of March 24, 2011 the Napau wildfire has consumed 2,076 acres in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Firefighters are concentrating their efforts on the Southeast flank of the fire where strong trade winds are pushing the fire with gusts of up to 45 mph.

The Kealakomo SEA (Special Ecological Area) and Naula SEA are high fire risks and are being protected by fire crews checking for spot fires near the Southern flank of the fire.

An infrared mapping flight by made late by crews yesterday showed most of the fuel for the fire consisting of single logs, standing dead trees, stumps, roots and large areas of dead vegetation mostly on the Southeast perimeter of the fire.

Over an inch of rain fell on the fire area overnight and was recorded by a portable Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS). The strong and gusty trade winds forecast for the Big Island today along with rain could hamper firefighting efforts.

The Chain of Craters Road is scheduled to be re-opened mid-morning today.

5:30 p.m. Update

The Napau Fire is 25% contained as of Thursday evening. Light winds and frequent rain showers helped to keep the fire in check. A total of 50 firefighters, fire management staff and park resource advisors are committed to the fire.

Chain of Craters Road is open and smoke is not visible from the road. Firefighters continue to work on preventing the spread of the fire in order to protect the East Rift SEA, Kealakomo SEA and Naula SEA.

An updated map of the fire perimeter is below.

A similar image from January 16, 2010, is provided for comparison. Click on image for larger view. Image courtesy of NASA.