Committee advances $300,000 increase for fire suppression operations after July crater-area fire

The Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee advanced a budget amendment on first reading to increase FY25 funding for the Department of Fire and Public Safety by $300,000 to cover extraordinary suppression costs from a July crater-area wildfire.

Fire Chief Ventura said the Crater Road fire required extended operations in remote, windy and low-humidity conditions that drove up costs for aviation use, dozers and water tenders. "We're estimating that we need approximately about $400,000 to, hopefully round out this fiscal year. But in order to meet that shortfall, we've postponed 1 project within our department to create a hundred thousand dollar savings, which brings us to the $300,000 that we're asking for today," he said.

The requested $300,000 would be split into $50,000 for helicopter use and $250,000 for additional dozer and water-tender use; the department said those are projections based on recent multi-year averages for April–June periods. Chief Ventura noted the department had secured over $900,000 in public-assistance reimbursements to the general fund and an additional $132,626 in insurance receipts.

Members asked whether an FMAG (Fire Management Assistance Grant) or FEMA designation covered the incident; Chief Ventura said the crater-area fire had not qualified for an FMAG but the department would verify whether reconsideration or other federal assistance might apply. The chief also said he planned to pursue cost-recovery conversations with Hawaiian Electric for a fire that investigators attributed to utility infrastructure; initial outreach to the utility and internal counsel was planned.

Members expressed support for the supplemental funding; the committee recommended first reading by voice/hand vote. Several members asked for a written follow-up on FEMA eligibility and potential utility cost recovery.