What is the name and location of the wildfire?

As of November 2, 2023, there is a wildfire burning above Mililani Mauka in Central Oahu, Hawaii (1)(2)(3). The fire is over 800 acres in size and wildfire smoke is being detected in island communities like Iroquois Point west of Honolulu.

The fire is located in a koa-forested mountainous area that is difficult for firefighters to access. It began on Monday, October 30.

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

The towns closest to the wildfire are Mililani and Wahiawa. While the fire is not currently threatening these towns, it is bringing ash to neighboring communities across Central Oahu.

Army installations Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Army Airfield are in the area, about 20 miles north of Honolulu. No structures or homes are currently threatened, and no evacuations have been ordered.

What is the current containment status of the wildfire?

As of 5 AM HST, November 1, the wildfire covers more than 800 acres and is 30% contained. Firefighters have been working to contain the fire, and it is moving away from the community. The fire is not spreading rapidly, and it's not threatening any structures.

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

There are currently no evacuation orders or alerts in place for this wildfire. The fire is not an immediate threat to residential areas, and containment efforts are ongoing. The smoke and ash from the fire are affecting nearby communities, but no evacuations have been deemed necessary at this time.

Some schools have modified operations, limiting outdoor activities, and holding recess indoors to protect students from air quality concerns. Schools nearest to the forest fire have central air conditioning and access to air purifiers.

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

• Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
• Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
• Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
• Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
• Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.