Resource Hub Photo: The wildfire spread near Kaumualii Highway and local businesses. This data from Spidertracks shows the path of water drops near the highway. Images courtesy Jack Harter Helicopters Lihue, Kauai–based Jack Harter Helicopters took part in a multiagency firefighting operation last week to save approximately 200 homes in the communities of Hanapepe and Kaumakani. According to the Kauai Fire Department (KFD), the wildfire was first reported on Jul. 15, which led to a quick response. The blaze burned about 1,000 acres, disrupting electricity for homes and businesses on the western side of the island. Flames came within a few yards of evacuated homes in Hanapepe and Kaumakani. This data from Spidertracks shows how close the helicopters were dropping water near the homes. In order to save the homes from destruction, crews from the public and private sector used a total of seven helicopters to quickly drop buckets of water in the area. In addition to a KFD MD 530F and a Hawaii National Guard Boeing CH-47 Chinook and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, Jack Harter Helicopters sent its Airbus AS350 B2 to help with the response. Those crews also coordinated water-drop operations with two MD 500Ds from Airborne Aviation, also of Lihue, and a Sikorsky S-61 from Honolulu–based Construction Helicopters. The crews contained the wildfire early in the morning of Jul. 16. Jack Harter Helicopters prepares its Airbus AS350 B3 to join firefighting operations in Kauai from its base at Lihue Airport (PHLI) in Hawaii.
