Officials close roads as wildfire burns in mountains above West Kauai

KOKEE (HawaiiNewsNow) - Officials closed Kokee Road and Waimea Canyon Drive Friday evening as a wildfire continued to burn in the mountains above Kekaha in West Kauai.

The Kauai Emergency Management Agency earlier sent out a voluntary evacuation order for Kokee and Waimea Canyon State Park before the fire forced the closure of all roads out.

Officials said there’s no immediate threat and there are no residential homes in the area, but possible extended road closures could result in isolation.

“If you are up there by the cabins, (you’re) relatively safe, but you may be up there for a while if that fire doesn’t get extinguished,” said Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami.

“It started pretty close to Kokee Road and now it spread across to Waimea Canyon Drive, so we believe it’s about 300, 350 acres right now, and we’re up at about 40 percent containment,” Kauai Fire Chief Michael Gibson said late Friday afternoon.

No shelters are available in this area, so officials urge those who are unable to shelter in place to leave the area immediately.

Witnesses said the flames appeared to be spreading on the ridge above Kekaha Shrimp Farms.

Officials are continuing to monitor weather conditions while first responders work to protect homes and critical communications in the area.

Air assets joined the fire fight Friday morning, KFD said.

Officials with the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative said power was cut to about 116 customers in Kokee as a precaution.

KFD said no injuries have been reported and no structures are threatened.

This comes just days after firefighters battled brush fires in Kaumakani and Kapaa.

The public is urged to remain vigilant for any updates.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.