KAILUA-KONA — Traffic was backed up to a stand-still from Kawaihae Road to the Waikoloa Beach Resort after emergency responders closed junctions at Waikoloa Road and Daniel K. Inouye Highway because of a brush fire Wednesday afternoon.
At about 1:36 p.m., Hawaii Police Department alerted the public to the blaze on Highway 190 at mile marker 7. Roads were closed at Saddle Road and Daniel K. Inouye junctions and Waikoloa Road between Waikoloa Village and Highway 190. As of press time Wednesday, the roads remained closed.
“This fire is going to be burning for a long time,” said Hawaii Fire Department Battalion Chief Ian Smith.
According fire officials, the blaze was reported to be 1,500 acres at about 2 p.m. At about 4 p.m., Smith said the flames jumped the highway and the “fire is running.”
There was no sign of containment by late afternoon, as it was burning in an area inaccessible to ground crews.
Helicopters made water drops on the fast moving fire as strong, variable winds fanned the flames.
Smoke was building in the area of Highway 190 and Daniel K Inouye Highway, where police directed traffic. Waimea-bound vehicles were instructed to take Old Saddle Road, while those headed to Waikoloa had to head back toward Kailua-Kona to Queen Kaahumanu Highway. Kona bound traffic from Waimea was rerouted down Kawaihae Road.
On Wednesday afternoon, fire crews were waiting for bulldozers to come in so they could create a fire break.