Brush Fire Blackens More Than 1,000 Acres in Ka`u

A brush fire fueled by gusty winds blackened more than 1,000 acres near Ka`alu`alu Bay in Ka`u Sunday afternoon.

Fourteen county firefighters and 11 volunteers responded to the 2:31 p.m. alarm.

Within 90 minutes, more than 400 acres had burned as the fire moved to the northwest, a spokesman from the Pahala Fire Station said.

The fire department used four-wheel-drive equipment to reach the remote area while two helicopters made bucket drops. Two rented two bulldozers were used to cut a fire break around the blaze’s perimeter.

Meanwhile, tanker trucks were stationed on South Point Road to protect home and other assets.

The perimeter was secured at about 10 p.m.

Firefighters remained at the scene overnight to monitor the fire. Helicopters were to resume bucket drops this morning.

The cause of the fire was unknown.