UPDATE: Brush Fire on Mauna Kea Mostly Controlled

A brush fire mauka of Laupahoehoe was mostly contained by firebreaks this afternoon, a fire department spokesman said.

Acting Battalion Chief Matthias Kusch said county firefighters would remain on the scene during the night to mop up hot spots.

County personnel were assisted today by 16 firefighters from the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife in battling the blaze on pasture land in a forest reserve, Kusch said.

The fire had blackened an estimated 22 acres below Mana Road, he said.

Firefighting efforts were hampered by a lack of access to the area and a shortage of water, Kusch said.