A brush fire at Pohakuloa Training Area could continue burning for another week. ADVERTISING A brush fire at Pohakuloa Training Area could continue burning for another week. PTA Fire Chief Eric Moller said in a press release Friday that it
A brush fire at Pohakuloa Training Area could continue burning for another week.
PTA Fire Chief Eric Moller said in a press release Friday that it is anticipated “sporadic spot fires” will continue during that time.
As of Friday, the fire had burned about 200 acres and was not expanding, according to PTA.
The fire started March 24 in the impact area. It is being allowed to burn itself out since it is surrounded by lava rock.
PTA says it also would be dangerous to send in a crew to attack the fire because of unexploded ordnance.
In response to concerns of the possible presence of depleted uranium, previously used at the Army training area, PTA said the fire is located 2 miles from the nearest “DU location” and is separated from the fire by a lava field.
“It is extremely unlikely that the fire will reach the DU area,” PTA said.
The state Department of Health said in a statement that neither training exercises nor brush fires are expected to “generate DU that could present a health issue.”
DOH says it conducted two ambient radiation measurements around PTA since December, with results consistent with background radiation. The department says those surveys will continue.
