UPDATE: Keauhou Ranch Fire, 51% Contained

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park reports that fire crews made headway on the Keauhou Ranch Fire and have thus far prevented it spreading into the Kīpuka Kī Special Ecological Area in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and reduced spread towards the Volcano Golf Course community.

Keauhou Ranch Fire on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018. PC: NPS

The fire, located on the slopes of Mauna Loa, is estimated to be approximately 51% contained. The fire grew 474 acres yesterday to 3,679 acres. Minimal precipitation occurred over the fire yesterday.

Firefighters used chainsaws and hand tools to remove dry vegetation from a rugged, uneven old ʻaʻā lava flow bordering Kīpuka Kī, improving the natural barrier. Crews used five-gallon water backpacks and coordinated aerial water drops to battle the flames.

Plumes of smoke are widely visible from Highway 11, and motorists are urged to drive with caution, roll up windows and use air conditioning if possible, and to stop for emergencies only. The fire is approximately a mile north of Highway 11.

Firefighters are made up of personnel from the National Park Service, Hawaiʻi County, State Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and volunteers from Volcano’s Company 19.

This morning, an additional 21 firefighters from the Folsom Lake Veterans Crew out of Placerville, CA joined the efforts. On Friday, a Type II Incident Management Team from the mainland will arrive to help manage the fire.

Map courtesy of HVNP.

The cause of the fire, which started Aug. 5, outside the park on Keauhou Ranch, is under investigation. For updates, more information and photos, visit online.

Kīpuka Kī is a treasured Special Ecological Area (SEA) for its natural and cultural resources. It is one of the rarest old-growth native forests of its kind in the world. Its towering ʻōhiʻa, koa and mānele trees are essential for the survival of threatened and endangered native plant and animal species. Unlike forests in other areas of the world, Hawaiian forests are not adapted to wildfire. The introduction of non-native grass and other plant species fuel fires that can quickly destroy centuries of growth.

The park appreciates the continued support from the community. Mauna Loa Road and most of the park have been closed since May 11 due to hazardous seismic activity.