BRIEF: Brush Fire Blackens 80 acres in Waikoloa

A brush fire blackened about 80 acres in the area of Waikoloa Village before being extinguished late this afternoon.

When county firefighters first arrived at the scene shortly before noon Saturday they found the fire had consumed about three acres. However, firefighters were unable to reach the brush fire’s leading edge because of the difficult terrain. Firefighting efforts were further hampered by strong winds which caused the blaze to jump a pre-existing firebreak and further out of reach of ground crews.

Water drops by the Fire Department’s two helicopters, along with new firebreaks made by a bulldozer, helped firefighters contain the blaze at around 2 p.m. Saturday.

Crews stayed throughout the night and into the morning mopping up hotspots, Battalion Chief Ty Medeiros said today. The last crews left the scene at 4:30 p.m.

The cause of the fire that occurred southwest of Paniolo Estates was still being investigated but it was possibly an unauthorized burn, Battalion Chief Steve Loyola of the Waikoloa fire station said Saturday.

A total of 50 personnel fought the blaze at its peak with the help of nine engines and three tankers. An additional tanker, a brushtruck and five firefighters from the US Army’s Pohakuloa Training Area on Saddle Road assisted in the effort.

No injuries were reported and no roadblocks were necessary.