A wildfire that broke out Thursday morning within Pohakuloa Training Area has scorched hundreds of acres.
County and federal assets responded to the blaze around 7 a.m. in the vicinity of training area 22, west of the impact area. The fire broke out in a remote area on the south side, or Kona side, of Daniel K. Inouye Highway.
Eight firefighters from the U.S. military installation were joined by 23 National Park Service firefighters with several brush trucks and several county firefighters with an off-road tanker to battle the fire. A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade was providing water drops.
As of Thursday evening, an estimated 600 acres had been burned, according to the U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii. NASA’s Fire Information for Resource Management System measured the fire at over 686 acres shortly before 7 p.m.
Firefighters were conducting back-burn operations to control the spread of the fire, PTA said.
“The quick reaction and commitment by the first responders here, and across Hawaii Island reflects the teamwork and partnership we have when wildland fires occur,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Cronin, commander U.S. Army Garrison Pohakuloa. “Mahalo to the team of team’s from the National team and Hawaii County.”
Residents and motorists near Daniel K. Inouye Highway may see smoke in the sky, but there is no threat to nearby roadways, facilities or people at this time, PTA said.
Highway 200, also known as Daniel K. Inouye Highway, was closed between Old Saddle Road and Mamalahoa Highway as of press-time.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.