Paauilo brush fire burns 1,400 acres

Crews from the Hawaii Fire Department and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildfire worked overnight Friday to contain a brushfire in Paauilo.

The Hawaii Fire Department reported flames started Friday morning makai of Highway 19 and spread mauka in the area of mile marker 35. Fire breaks were cut to prevent the fire from jumping and threatening Paauilo Mauka.

A total of 85 personnel from various agencies and heavy equipment operators worked to extinguish the blaze.

As of press time Saturday, the fire had burned approximately 1,400 acres and was 90% contained.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.