News Release

Maunaulu parking lot and trails temporarily closed for wildfire suppression

The Makaopuhi Fire continues to burn in a remote area on the south rim of Nāpau Crater following the recent eruption on Kīlauea’s middle East Rift Zone within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

USGS Photo/L.DeSmither

News Release Date: October 8, 2024

Contact: Jessica Ferracane

HAWAII NATIONAL PARK, Hawaiʻi – Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has temporarily closed the parking lot at Maunaulu and Nāpau Trail due to wildfire suppression efforts. These areas are closed to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Public domain USGS images are available.   

The remote 78-acre Makaopuhi Fire was ignited by the September 15 eruption of Kīlauea volcano. Fire activity has increased due to lack of recent rainfall, low humidity and wind. 

Twenty-two members of the Pacific Islands Fire Management team, which includes firefighters from Hawaiʻi Island and American Sāmoa, are constructing a fire line to gain control of the fire’s spreading perimeter. Firefighters are supported by helicopter water drops. A staging area, helispot and temporary dip site are located near the Maunaulu parking lot.  

The temporary closure at Maunaulu is expected to last through Wednesday, October 9 but could be extended if fire spread continues. The fire, which does not have a continuous flaming front, continues to burn pockets of uluhe fern and other vegetation dried by recent volcanic activity in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. It poses no threat to homes at this time. 

The Makaopuhi Fire is a threat to Hawaiian ecosystems and rare plants in the area. The remote location and the hazardous volcanic terrain in Kīlauea volcano’s remote East Rift Zone increase the difficulty of fire suppression efforts.  
 

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