Brush fire chars 10.6 acres near Honokaa

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A brush fire consumed about 10 acres after breaking out Monday evening near Honokaa.

Responding to the 6:04 p.m. alarm, firefighters arrived in the area of mile marker 7 on Highway 240, also known as Honokaa-Waipio Road, to find a fire burning under the canopy of the eucalyptus forest, according to the Hawaii Fire Department. The fire was being fanned by winds from the east, thus pushing the fire west and making it inaccessible to personnel.

Initially, the only access was a road on the eastern flank of the fire that required crews to cut through a downed tree to gain access through three different ranch gates, according to the department. Crews were unable to engage in firefighting efforts or determine the size of the fire due to the inaccessibility of its south and west flanks.

On Tuesday, crews were able to walk the perimeter of the burn area to look for and douse flareups. They determined the fire had consumed 10.6 acres.