KAILUA-KONA — Firefighters continue to battle a brush fire that broke out shortly before noon Wednesday along Highway 190 in North Kona.
The fire, which started about 11:45 a.m. between mile marker 24 and 25, on the Kona side of Puuanahulu, had consumed an estimated 1,300 acres as of 6:30 p.m., according to the Hawaii Fire Department. As of about 5:30 p.m., the fire remained on the makai side of the highway and firefighters were working to keep it from crossing the highway.
The fire was apparently sparked by a lightning strike in a remote area makai of the highway, Battalion Chief Gantry Andrade said. The National Weather Service on Wednesday said conditions remained unstable over the Big Island and that thunderstorms could be expected.
At first, wind fanned the flames makai but then switched, sending the fire mauka toward the highway, he said. As of 5:30 p.m., the winds had calmed down and were blowing northeast at 5 mph.
Hawaii County volunteer and paid firefighters, as well as state firefighters, were expected to continue battling the fire throughout the night; helicopters providing water drops were to stop operations at sunset Wednesday. Two dozers were working to establish a perimeter around the fire, which is located on state land.
The Hawaii Police Department reported shortly after noon Wednesday the closure of the highway. Road closures are in effect at the highway’s intersection with Kaiminani Drive in Kailua-Kona and its intersection with Daniel K. Inouye Highway and Waikoloa Road in South Kohala.
The highway remained closed as of Thursday morning.
“We just ask the public to be patient while they try to contain the fire,” he said. “We will advise of any reopening as soon as possible.”