Hawaii Island wildfire burns over 70 acres, keeps Daniel K. Inouye Highway closed

WAIMEA (HawaiiNewsNow) – A wildland fire burning near Daniel K. Inouye Highway on Hawaii Island has scorched more than 70 acres as crews prepare to battle the flames through the night.

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Hawaii County Civil Defense reported just before 7 p.m. Tuesday that crews from the county, state Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and Pohakuloa Training Area are working to contain the fire, with air support from the National Guard.

The fire started near the highway in the South Kohala District. Earlier Tuesday, officials reported two fires near mile markers 46 and 47.

“These were relatively small to start with, but the fact that the two started in such close proximity to each other is a cause for some concern,” said Adam Weintraub with Hawaii County Civil Defense.

There are no homes in the remote area, and no evacuation orders have been issued.

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Daniel K. Inouye Highway remains closed in both directions between the Old Saddle Road Junction and Highway 190 Junction as firefighting operations are expected to continue overnight.

Officials said the closure is intended to allow fire crews and equipment to safely access the area.

Motorists can detour using Old Saddle Road and are advised to avoid the area when possible.

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