Firefighters on Thursday are continuing to monitor a brush fire that scorched 50 acres south of Lapakahi State Historical Park in North Kohala.
Responding to a 2:28 a.m. alarm, Hawaii Fire Department personnel arrived at the scene near mile marker 12 on Akoni Pule Highway, also known as Highway 270, to find an unattended vehicle that was on fire and a brush fire of about 15 acres. The fire was being fanned by light winds in difficult terrain.
Firefighters were able to get the fire contained by 5:30 a.m. and mop-up operations continued throughout the day and into the night. The department said it will continue to monitor the burn area Thursday.
The origin and cause of the fire remains under investigation, however, the department noted the burnt motor vehicle is the suspected area of origin.