Residents cleared to return home after crews contain wind-swept wildfire on Hawaii’s Kauai island
KAUMAKANI, Hawaii (AP) — Officials have lifted an evacuation notice for about 200 homes in a small, rural community on the Hawaiian island of Kauai after fully containing a wind-swept wildfire. The fast-moving blaze between Hanapepe and Kaumakani prompted officials to alert residents of the need to flee Monday afternoon using sirens, text messages and by going door-to-door. Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami said that in addition to dropping water on the fire from helicopters, heavy machinery was used to create breaks to prevent the fire from spreading. Officials declared the fire 100% contained just before midnight. Firefighters say the fire destroyed a shed that wasn’t attached to a home.