Firefighters are getting the upper hand on a brush fire that consumed more than 1,000 acres after igniting Sunday afternoon near Kaalualu Bay in Ka‘u. ADVERTISING Firefighters are getting the upper hand on a brush fire that consumed more than
Firefighters are getting the upper hand on a brush fire that consumed more than 1,000 acres after igniting Sunday afternoon near Kaalualu Bay in Ka‘u.
Just over a half dozen Hawaii Fire Department and volunteer personnel on Monday morning remained at the scene, located off South Point Road, dousing hot spots and flareups within the 1,022 burn area, said HFD Battalion Chief Warren Sumida.
He said the firefighters are being aided by overcast skies and light rain.
Crews are also working with a DC-6 bulldozer to enhance a firebreak around the blaze, Sumida said. A Hawaii County helicopter is also performing water drops.
As of mid-Monday, the fire was listed as under control, but not yet contained, Sumida said. No structures are threatened and no evacuations have been ordered.
Firefighters responded about 2:30 p.m. Sunday to a report of a brush fire near Kaalualu Bay that was being fanned by trade winds in a northwesterly direction toward South Point Road. Within 1.5 hours, the fire had grown to 250 acres.
By 10 p.m., however, firefighters assisted by favorable weather conditions were able to gain control over the fire, which had grown to 1,022 acres.
“It rained all night,” Sumida said. “That really helped us.”
With crews remaining on the scene, Sumida asked the public to be cautious if driving on South Point Road because of fire trucks and other equipment parked along the roadway.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Sumida said. Firefighters will remain on the scene throughout the night to quash any flareups.
Email Chelsea Jensen
at cjensen@westhawaii
today.com.
