KAILUA-KONA — Poor firefighting conditions are expected to persist through the next several days as fire crews work to suppress a brush fire that has scorched 14,750 acres along Highway 190.
The Highway 190 fire was first ignited Wednesday off the roadway at mile marker 7. Since then, it has grown rapidly with the assistance of gusting winds and fuels, allowing flames to jump the highway. As of Friday evening, the blaze was 30 percent contained.
“Strong and gusty winds are making this a very difficult fire to contain,” according to a press release Friday from Hawaii Fire Department. “The public should also be aware that these strong winds are generating large dust clouds.”
Derek Wroe, meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said peak wind gusts came in at 55 mph at the Waikoloa fire station. He added winds have been consistently gusting at 40-50 mph from 9:30 a.m. to Friday afternoon.
Wroe said winds will be a little weaker today, but breezy dry weather will continue for several days.
Several state and county resources have been directed to battle the blaze, which is burning south of Waikoloa Road and west of the Highway 190, or Mamalahoa Highway.
“Highway 190 is threatened in multiple locations and crews are actively working to prevent the fire from jumping the highway,” the press release said.
There is also an area of active burning near the 3.5 mile marker that is approximately a half mile from Waikoloa Road. Helicopters were actively dropping water in that area on Friday.
“Much of the fire is inaccessible to ground units and we are working to contain these areas with fire breaks utilizing five dozers and four helicopters, to include two military Black Hawk aircraft,” the release states.
Manpower has reached 108 with assistance coming from HFD volunteer stations in Waimea, North and South Kohalas and Waikoloa. Other agencies include State of Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Hawaii Department of Transportation, Hawaii County Public Works and Highway Division, Isemoto Contracting and Parker Ranch.
Firefighters are also receiving assistance from military at Pohakuloa Training Area.
There are no reported injuries and no structures have been lost as of Friday afternoon.
The fire has also impacted the public archery hunt in the youth and disable area and makai section of the Puu Waawaa Forest Reserve, resulting in a temporary closure, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife announced Friday.
“This is being done as a safety precaution due to the active wildland fire in and around the Puu Anahulu game management area,” DLNR officials state.
The hunt will remain closed until the fire is contained, and safe public access to the hunting area is restored.
Road closures also remain place. Highway 190 remains closed from Kaiminani Drive to Waikoloa Road. However, Highway 190 between Kaiminani Drive and Puu Lani Ranch is open to local traffic only.
Waikoloa Road was opened to traffic around 6:30 p.m. Motorists will have to take a left turn onto Highway 190 (toward Waimea) as Highway 190 remains closed south of Waikoloa Road.
For motorists traveling Hilo to Kona, use Hamakua to Waimea or Daniel K. Inouye Highway to the Old Saddle Road junction at mile marker 43 detour to Waimea. Waimea through Kawaihae Road to Queen Kaahumanu Highway is open. Motorist traveling south, Highway 11 is open.