The Molokai wildfire that started 6 days ago (noon on Sunday) was nearly 80% contained as of Thursday afternoon (the most recent news report).
Firefighters, helicopters and bulldozers are continuing to battle the persistent brushfire. More than 60 firefighters came from the Maui Fire Department, National Park Service, state Department of Land and Natural Resources, the nonprofit Nature Conservancy, and fire and rescue teams from the Molokai Airport in Hoolehua.
About 8,000 acres have and so far, the only injury has been to a firefighter who needed to be hospitalized for treatment of smoke inhalation.
Molokai is an island of only 260 square miles and 7,200 people. In the past year or so, it's faced the closure of its largest employer, Molokai Ranch, an ongoing drought and water shortage as well as large proposed utility rate hikes.
Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire.
For the previous story (with videos of the fire), click here.
For background on Molokai, click here.
Travel to the island is cautioned. Please check with your hotel and local airline carrier for the latest status.
To read more of my stories about what to see and do in Hawai ... check out the 'Recent Articles' tab in the right column and click 'all articles.'
Comments
Great news! Really highlights what tremendously successful efforts have been brought to this whole operation. Big up to the esprit de corps of all the other islands fireforces who have joined in aiding Molokai. (Presents too strong positives of Islands unity to the world).
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