Big Island firefighters respond to third Hāmākua wildfire in as many days

Big Island firefighters were fighting a third wildfire in as many days Saturday afternoon as another small blaze broke out near the 21-mile marker of Highway 19 near Pōhakupuka in Hāmākua.

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense reported the fire at about 2:20 p.m., advising the public that the Hilo-bound lane of Highway 19 was also closed and to avoid the are if possible.

Big Island law enforcement was directing traffic along the highway in the vicinity of the blaze.

Civil Defense reported just before 3 p.m. that Hawai‘i Police Department said Highway 19 had reopened to all traffic near the 21-mile marker.

Big Island firefighters also responded to wildfires Thursday and Friday, Aug. 7-8, in an area about 15 to 20 miles away to the north and west of Saturday’s fire, between the 36- and 39-mile markers near Pa‘auilo in Hāmākua.

Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel on Saturday afternoon also were still at the scene of the fire that ignited Friday between mile markers 36 and 39 makai of Highway 19.

There were no active flames; however, firefighters remained vigilant to address any hot spots that could spark.

Office of Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda reported Friday night that the fire had burned less than 180 acres.

It also caused Hawai‘i Fire Department to issue a wildfire warning at one point, resulting in short-lived evacuation orders for residents and public in the area, opening of an emergency shelter at Pa‘auilo Gym and closure of a portion of Highway 19.

Big Island firefighters — with the help of several privately-owned bulldozers — were able to get a wildfire near the 37-mile marker of Highway 19 in the vicinity of Paʻauilo under control Thursday afternoon after it burned about 150 acres of pastureland as it advanced rapidly toward the highway because of strong winds.

No structures were lost to either blaze and no injuries reported Thursday or Friday.

Both areas where wildfires ignited are experiencing severe or extreme — or verging on extreme — drought conditions right now, according to the most recent information available for Hawaiʻi County from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Hāmākua is experiencing the worst drought conditions on the island as of Aug. 5. Nearly 87% of the Big Island is abnormally dry or under some level of drought.

Visit the Hawai‘i County Hazard Impact Map for additional information about the Friday and Saturday wildfires, road closures and other emergency situations around the island.

Big Island Now news reporter Nathan Christophel contributed to this story.