Wildfire in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park completely contained

A five-acre wildfire sparked by lightning in a remote wilderness area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has been fully extinguished.

National Park Service fire fighters continued to mop up hot spots, patrol the fire edge, extinguish burning vegetation and backhaul equipment through Friday afternoon.

The fire was declared 100% contained at 4 p.m. on Dec. 23.

Hilina Pali Road, Kaʻaha Trail and the Hilina Pali Lookout reopened Friday at 6 p.m.

The fire burned through remnant dryland ‘ōhiʻa trees and native shrubs in a remote wilderness area dominated by alien grasses that can promote fire spread and increase fire severity, contributing to the loss of native species in the area.

Park staff spotted a plume of smoke at 9:50 a.m. Tuesday below Hilina Pali Lookout at the 2,000-foot elevation. Lightning from the recent storm sparked the fire, a rare occurrence in the park and throughout Hawaiʻi. Most wildfires in Hawaiʻi are caused by humans.