Brush Fire UPDATE: Evacuations Mandatory for Hawaiian Homestead, Waiki‘i Ranch residents

7 p.m. Update: Waimea brush grows to 14,000 acres. Old Saddle Road remains closed as flames threaten Highway 190 near the Old Saddle Road Junction. Fire Chief Kazuo Todd confirmed small sheds and one confirmed vehicle have been consumed in the blaze.

6 p.m. Update: Hawai‘i County authorities have ordered the evacuation of the Pu‘ukapu Homestead and Waiki‘i Ranch communities due to the Waimea brush fire.

An evacuation center has opened at Waimea District Park off of Ala Ohia Road in Waimea. The center is pet friendly but individuals must supply their own provisions.

Hawai‘i Fire Department is calling for the immediate evacuation of residents at the Puʻu Kapu Hawaiian Homestead due to an ongoing brush fire in Waimea, which has now grown to 12,000 acres.

Waiki‘i Ranch residents are advised to be prepared to evacuate in the event the blaze jumps across Old Saddle Road, Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency stated this afternoon as of 5 p.m.

For those evacuating, the County has opened an Evacuation Center at Waimea District Park in Waimea.

Old Saddle Road is closed effective immediately due to heavy smoke between Highway 190 and Daniel K. Inouye Highway. Several structures are threatened, HFD officials confirmed.

The blaze continues to shift directions based on wind conditions making containment difficult. Residents who are close enough to see the fire should evacuate the area promptly.

This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.