Brush fire scorches 122 acres in Ka‘u

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KAILUA-KONA — A brush fire scorched more than 100 acres and forced the closure of Highway 11 on Tuesday in the area of Punaluu Beach Park.

The fire, which broke out some time after midnight Tuesday, burned approximately 122 acres between Ninole Loop, Highway 11 and Sea Mountain Golf Course in Ka‘u, Hawaii Fire Department Battalion Chief Darwin Okinaka told West Hawaii Today.

Because of its proximity to Highway 11, the roadway was closed all day. A detour was established via Ninole Loop allowing motorists by the area as conditions permitted, Okinaka said.

The fire was fully contained as of press time, however, firefighters were expected to remain at the scene throughout the night dousing hot spots and flareups, Okinaka said.

There were no evacuations ordered or injuries reported.