DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

News Release

LINDA LINGLE

GOVERNOR

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PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON

Phone: (808) 587-0401

Fax: (808) 587-0390

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For Immediate Release: February 6, 2007

Upper Waiohuli Fire Declared Controlled Today
DLNR Posts Closure Notices In Kula Forest Reserve

WAILUKU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources has declared the upper Waiohuli Fire in the Kula Forest Reserve to be controlled.

"Rainfall in the area last week has helped to cool hot spots and extinguish burning embers," said
DLNR chairperson Peter Young. “Although the fire is under control, there remains a high risk of underground burning, falling trees, and weakened or hanging limbs in and around the fire perimeter.

“To protect public safety, we will continue to keep the Kula Forest Reserve (including the Ka‘ono‘ulu Ranch cooperative lease area), Polipoli Springs State Park, all Na Ala Hele trails in the area and the Waipoli access road, above the boundary gate closed for all persons and activities, including hunting, while our personnel continue working in the area to extinguish any remaining hot spots, and to inspect and remove any hazardous trees,” Young said.

“There are 16 miles of hiking trails and approximately 6 miles of roads in the area impacted by the recent forest fire, and burned trees – some quite large -- are continuing to fall. We will be making assessments of needs for timber salvage and to clear the area of hazard trees. We hope to reopen these areas by May 1, 2007,” he said.

Area closed signs have been posted at these six entrances to the Kula Forest Reserve:

Bottom of Waipoli Road Cattle Guard (Lavender Farm)
Forest Reserve Boundary (White Gate)
Skyline Trail Gate (National Park Boundary - Summit)
Bottom of Waiakoa Loop Trail (Illegal Motorcycle entrance)
Bottom of Haleakala Ridge Trail (Old CCC trail)
Bottom of Waiohuli Trail (Thompson Gate

DLNR’s Division of State Parks will cancel existing reservations and not issue new permits for the cabin at Polipoli Springs State Park until the reserve is reopened and the access road can be made safe. An assessment has been done and needed repairs were completed which included putting in new pipes for the water system.

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For more information, media may contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320