Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying anyone who might have information about the cause of three fires of suspicious origin that occurred Wednesday.
At about 12:46 a.m., police and firefighters responded to a report of a brush fire on Highway 270, also known as Akoni Pule Highway, near the 8.5-mile marker in North Kohala. Arriving officers spotted a second brush fire, also on Highway 270, near the 9-mile marker.
A small amount of vegetation and dry brush burned at both locations before being extinguished by firefighters.
Then at about 9:53 a.m., police and firefighters responded to a report of a brush fire on Puako Beach Drive, west of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway in the South Kohala District. That fire required the closure of Puako Beach Drive for about two hours as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.
About 4 acres of vegetation and dry brush burned before the fire was extinguished.
No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported. At this time, the cause of all three fires remains undetermined.
Police urge the public to exercise caution and advise against throwing lit cigarettes or similar items from vehicles as the dry brush and vegetation are highly flammable. Police also ask the public to be diligent in reporting any suspicious activity that could lead to a brush fire.
Anyone with information about the cause of the fires is asked to call the police nonemergency line at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.