As of today, Aug. 13, there have been 19 homes destroyed in the Upcountry/Kula wildfire that started Aug. 8, 2023. Three homes were destroyed in Olinda and 16 were leveled in Kula.

Many other homes sustained damage. The total number of homes destroyed are not yet available as the fire remains active with 678 acres burned so far.

There are three helicopters, four engines, two tankers and one utility on-site.

Hot spots in gulches and other hard to reach places, along with land divisions and fences, make this a difficult fire to contain.

When a fire is 100-percent contained, it does not mean it has been extinguished. It means that firefighters have the blaze fully surrounded by a perimeter, and the fire can still burn. Once a fire is declared “extinguished,” then it’s over.