HVNP fire 70% contained
According to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a wildfire on the southeast flank of Mauna Loa within the park’s boundaries was 70% contained as of Wednesday morning and was about 42.5 acres in size.
Light rain overnight Tuesday and into early Wednesday morning helped firefighters extinguish residual smoldering.
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The current weather outlook is favorable for firefighters to continue to make progress strengthening fire lines, mopping up, and extinguishing residual heat.
Mauna Loa Road remains closed to the public from the gate at the Kipukapuaulu parking lot. Only authorized vehicles are allowed past the gate until further notice.
The fire was first reported at 6:09 p.m. on Monday and started on a power line road at around the 4,800-foot elevation in the park.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
