UPDATE: Wildfire near Pa‘auilo that ignited Friday afternoon now 75% contained

Update at 6:27 p.m. Aug. 8, 2025: Office of Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda reports that the wildfire near Pa‘auilo in Hāmākua that ignited this afternoon between the 36- and 39-mile markers of Highway 19 is now about 75% contained, with less than 180 acres burned.

Hawai’i Fire Department personnel continue to respond to the brush fire makai of the highway. No evacuation order is in place.

A shelter that opened at Pa‘auilo Gym will close at 6:30 p.m.

All lanes of Highway 19 between mile markers 36 and 39 are open. Motorists are advised to drive with caution in the area, as firefighters could be on or near the roadway.

Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel will remain on scene through the evening.

Update at 4:47 a.m. Aug. 8, 2025:  Hawai‘i County firefighters were able to get control a wildfire that burned more than 100 acres by about 5:30 p.m. Aug. 7 in the vicinity of mile marker 37 on Highway 19 near Paʻauilo in Hāmākua.

They were then battling another blaze in the same area a day later, this time having to issue a wildfire warning and urge residents and public in the area to evacuate.

Hawai‘i Fire Department reported Friday morning in a release that firefighters and Hawai‘i Police Department officers responded at about 2:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon to a fast-moving brush fire that spanned 5 acres and was advancing toward Highway 19 because of high winds.

Heavy smoke was also billowing below the highway at the 37-mile marker from the fast-moving wildfire as winds pushed it mauka toward the highway.

Hawai‘i Fire Department helicopters assisted with bucket water drops.

Several bulldozers from private assets worked to control the head of the fire and form fire breaks while department engines, tankers and brush trucks were used to control the flanks of the growing blaze.

Firefighters had the blaze under control by about 5:30 p.m., three hours after their initial response. It had burned an estimated 150 acres of pastureland. 

No structures were lost to the blaze and no injuries reported.

Hawai‘i Fire Department units remained on scene overnight Thursday into Friday to monitor conditions and ensure no flare-ups got out of the burn area.

A total of 13 Hawai‘i Fire Department units responded to the blaze and 4 private bulldozers.

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Residents and the public were told to evacuate the area between mile markers 36 and 39 in the same area of Highway 19 near Paʻauilo today as flames of wildfire burned again.

Hawai‘i Fire Department at about 4 p.m. issued a wildfire warning and urged people to act immediately as firefighters battled the blaze anew.

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense also reported that Highway 19 in the same area was closed and to avoid the area.

By about half an hour later, however, the evacuation orders were canceled and highway reopened with a contraflow lane as firefighters continue to respond to the fire.

Office of Hawai’i County Mayor Kimo Alameda reported at just after 4:30 p.m. Friday that about 70% of the fire was contained and motorists are advised to continue to avoid the area.

While evacuation orders are no longer in place, residents near Kalōpā Road makai are advised to be prepared to evacuate if necessary.

Paʻauilo Gym remains open as a shelter for any residents who are displaced.

Original post at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 7, 2025: Fire Department reports a wildfire has ignited in the vicinity of Old Mill Road near Paʻauilo in Hāmākua. Firefighters are on scene.

No homes are threatened by the fire and there are no road closures in place at this time because of the blaze.

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense says to avoid the area because of heavy smoke and the presence of firefighters close to and along the roadways.

Updates will be issued should conditions change.

See the Hawai‘i County Hazard Impact Map for additional road closure, wildfire and other emergency information.