Army fire, safety and environment specialists, in coordination with the Federal Fire Department, will conduct a prescribed burn of 800 acres at the live fire range and impact area this Thursday and Friday, according to Schofield Barracks officials.

The prescribed fire will reduce overall fire danger in the area by eliminating fire-prone vegetation, according to officials of the U.S. Army Wildland Fire Program, the supervising agency.

The scheduled burn is contingent on prescribed wind conditions, temperature and fuel moisture conditions and follows the exact format and weather
parameters of previous year's burns.  Prescribed fire is conducted during
cooler temperatures and increased relative humidity.

Contingency dates of July 5 and 6 have been established if rainfall and
unfavorable weather two days prior to the target burn date occurs.

The Army is working with Hawaii State Department of Health, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, along with the State Clean Air Branch who reviewed and approved the detailed burn plan for the scheduled dates.  The Army has also notified the City and County of Honolulu Fire Department, and the Hawaii Division of Forestry.

"We are taking whatever steps are necessary to protect the land, and the safety of our community," said Col. Douglas S. Mulbury, commander, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii.

Ten members of the Army Wildland Fire program team, four members from the Pohakuloa Training Area Fire program team and four members from the Federal Fire Department will be joined by representatives of the garrison and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor the burn.