Windy Weather Stoking Already Massive Big Island Brush Fire

A Big Island brush fire continues to rage in South Kohala, consuming more than 2,000 acres and counting as of Sunday.

Strong winds have made the blaze difficult to contain, and even stronger winds are in the forecast for the region. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for the Kohala area through 6 am Tuesday morning, with sustained winds of up to 30 mph and gusts up to 55 mph.

The fire ignited on Saturday afternoon somewhere in the Keamuku Maneuver Area, initially shutting down Daniel K. Inouye Highway for multiple hours. While that highway has reopened to traffic, Old Saddle Road remains closed.

Dozens of firefighting personnel have been working around the clock to control the burn, with resources from both Hawai´i County and the US Army deployed.

Big Island Now will continue to provide updates on the brush fire as they become available.