Ka‘u brush fire contained; South Point Road still closed

KAILUA-KONA — South Point Road remains closed today as firefighters continue to battle a brush fire sparked Thursday night.

Because of the closure, there is no access to the boat ramp and Ka Lae cliffs, nor Green Sands beach, also known as Papakolea, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

Hawaii Fire Department Capt. Chris Carvalho said the fire, which was reported about 10 p.m. Thursday, consumed about 121 acres of grass, small brush and kiawe. It was nearly contained as of about 10:30 a.m. Friday and no structures have been lost and none are currently threatened.

Firefighters remain on the scene dousing hot spots and flare-ups, he said. A Hawaii County helicopter is also assisting with water drops.

Winds around 20 mph are currently blowing from the east-northeast, which is assisting firefighters efforts in quashing the fire because it is helping to fan the flames more makai and into areas already burned.

Capt. Miles Chong, the Ka‘u police commander, said officers helped to evacuate a handful of fishermen from the South Point area shortly after the fire was reported. No other evacuations were ordered.

Kamaoa Road, which leads to Discovery Harbour subdivision, remains open, he said.

The closure is expected to last at least through the day, Hawaii County Civil Defense said.