Photo Gallery: BIN Readers Capture Images of Brush Fire Burning in S. Kohala

Jordan Hetrick submitted a photo to Big Island Now of the brush fire burning in South Kohala from the Ocean Club Restaurant in Waikōloa Village.

The blaze started Wednesday morning on Pōhakuloa Training Area land and rapidly spread. According to Hawai‘i Fire Department, the fire has grown in excess of 3,000 acres.

Hetrick had seen the fire earlier that day coming down from Mauna Kea at approximately 1:23 p.m. He said he told rangers about it at the visitor’s center.

Mark Oppfelt took a photo of the fire Wednesday night from Hali’i Kai condos in the Waikōloa Beach Resort. Flames and smoke were visible while the full moon illuminated the sky.

As of this morning, fire officials report the fire is in an area 1 mile from Highway 190 and 3 miles from Pu’uanahulu. No structures are threatened and all roads are open at this time.

The National Weather Service has extended the Fire Weather Red Flag Warning through Thursday evening for Kohala, Kona and Ka‘ū Districts. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Strong, gusty trade winds, dry fuel, and low relative humidity could produce extreme fire behavior. Any fires that develop will likely rapidly spread and be difficult to control.

Motorists are advised to drive with caution in the areas of Highway 190 and Daniel K Inouye Highway due to Fire personnel and heavy equipment working in the area to establish fire breaks and conducting fire suppression.