Crews continue to battle brush fires

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Firefighters continued mop-up efforts Wednesday to extinguish several brush fires that consumed a combined total of 650 acres in South Kohala. Mamalahoa Highway, also known as Highway 190, remained open throughout the day.

Firefighters continued mop-up efforts Wednesday to extinguish several brush fires that consumed a combined total of 650 acres in South Kohala. Mamalahoa Highway, also known as Highway 190, remained open throughout the day.

The crews were dousing hot spots and flare-ups at three fire sites located between mile-markers 14 and 23 on Mamalahoa Highway, according to the Hawaii County Fire Department.

One of the fires, reported Monday afternoon near mile-marker 14, burned about 500 acres and has been deemed extinguished. The two other fires, which ignited Tuesday afternoon near mile-markers 16 and 23, have been deemed suspicious in nature. The fire near mile marker 16 burned approximately 150 acres and was listed as under control. Firefighters were able to contain the blaze near mile-marker 23 to about 1/4 acre.

Anyone with information or who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area is asked to call police at 935-3311 or Officer Levon Stevens at 326-4646, ext. 226.