Bryson Kamakura, firefighter, Army Wildland Fire, ignites invasive Guinea grass with a drip torch during the Army’s 2016 prescribed burn. (Army photo)
Public Affairs Office
U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii (May 7, 2019) —Army officials are taking action to prevent brushfires and their potential threat to more than 30 species of endangered plants and animals by conducting a prescribed burn of the Schofield Barracks training range complex.
“Prescribed burns make a big difference when it comes to preventing brushfire outbreaks on our training ranges, helping to reduce the number of brushfires by upwards of 70% over the year,” said Chief Alex Temporado, Fire Division Chief, Directorate of Emergency Services, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii.
The Army’s specialized Wildland Fire Division is scheduled to begin the prescribed burn May 20, provided environmental conditions such as wind, temperature and fuel moisture are within the regulatory parameters.
“We anticipate completing the burn in approximately three to seven days,” Temporado said.
The prescribed burn is just once piece of the Army’s plan to manage threatened and endangered species. Highly flammable guinea grass and other vegetation can become large fuel sources for brushfires that can threaten natural resources, such as the O’ahu ‘Elepaio, the endangered flycatcher bird that resides in habitat above the range.
The Army has spent months preparing for the burn. These preparations include coordinating with the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Clean Air Branch and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure all state, federal and Army requirements are met.
Army staff will closely monitor humidity, wind and the level of concentration of natural fuel in the burn areas in an effort to minimize smoke and ash.
“We appreciate everyone’s understanding and will take every precaution to lessen potential impacts on our neighbors,” said Justin Turnbo, fire management officer, Wildland Fire Division, USAG HI. “Throughout the burn, we’ll be using smoke modeling software to detect direction and amount of smoke produced and make adjustments as necessary.”
Multiple personnel and assets from the Army are supporting the prescribed burn. These include: firefighters, aviators, engineers, range and safety officers, natural and cultural resources specialists, explosive ordnance disposal personnel, and law enforcement personnel.
All burn operations will take place during daylight hours, and Army Wildland firefighters will remain on site each night to monitor the area. The Federal Fire Department will also be on standby for the duration of the burn.
For questions, community members can call the Army’s Public Affairs office at (808) 656-3160 or (808) 656-3154 or email usarmy.hawaii.pao@mail.mil.