UPDATE: Brush Fire Burns in Kawaihae

***Updated at 11:55 p.m. to include Hawai’i County Civil Defense information.***

The brush fires burning in the Kawaihae area have continue to burn out of control, according to Hawai’i County Civil Defense.

Officials say gusty winds and heavy smoke caused evacuations Saturday evening in areas including Spencer Beach Park and Kawaihae Village.

As of 10:30 p.m. Civil Defense said that residents of the Mauna Kea Bluffs subdivision were allowed to return to their homes.

The Thelma Parker Gym will be open all night for those who needed to evacuate and have not been allowed back to their residences.

Road closures in the area remain in effect, including Queen Kaahumanu Highway, which is closed to all traffic from Puako Beach Drive; Kawaihae Road between the 62 mile marker on the Waimea side and the Akoni Pule Junction at Kawaihae Harbor. Kohala traffic on Akoni Pule is currently being detoured through the Kohala Ranch Subdivision.

***Updated at 6:20 p.m. to include Hawai’i County Civil Defense information. ***

A Hawai’i County Civil Defense spokesperson has confirmed that there are multiple brush fires burning due to shifting winds that have split the original fire burning in the area.

No additional information is currently available. We’ll continue to keep you updated as information comes in.

Evacuations have occurred at Spencer Beach Park and Kawaihae Village. Shelters at Thelma Parker Gym in Waimea and Waikoloa Community Park are open.

Kawaihae Road remains closed at the 62 mile marker and at Queen Kaahumanu Highway, north of Puako Drive.

BigIslandNow.com reader Mani N Tanei sent this photo in of when the fire first started. Photo credit: Mani N Tanei.

Fire as Spencers Beach Park was being evacuated. Photo credit: Mano N Tanei.

Photo credit: Kimberly Padgett Shaw.

Sunset and smoke from the fire. Photo credit: Kimberly Padgett Shaw.

Photo credit: Shari Broadway.

Photo credit: Lindsay Kimball Furtick.

Photo credit: Shari Broadway.

View from Waimea. Photo credit: Tina Yohon Benson.

***Updated at 4:10 p.m. to include additional information from the Hawai’i Police Department.***

Evacuations have been ordered as Hawai’i County Fire Department fire fighters continue to battle a blaze in Kawaihae.

According to the Hawai’i Police Department, evacuations have occurred at  Spencer Beach Park and Kawaihae Village.

Additionally, evacuation shelters have been opened at the Thelma Parker Gym in Waimea and Waikoloa Community Park.

Kawaihae Road is closed at the 62 mile marker and at Queen Kaahumanu Highway, north of Puako Drive.

***Original story at 2:02 p.m.***

A runaway brush fire in the Kawaihae area is currently being tended to by the Hawai’i County Fire Department.

County officials say the fire is near the 66 mile marker of Kawaihae Road located just east of the Queen Kaahumanu Highway.

Traffic in the area is limited to one lane. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternate routes if they are available to them.

The brush fire is burning on the south side of the roadway and moving south.

Hawai’i County Civil Defense an nounced just before 1 p.m. that no property is currently being threatened and that fire personnel are on the scene.

The cause of the fire is unknown.