Update: Fire break established around Mana Road fire on Mauna Kea

Update 9:17 a.m. Aug. 14, 2925: The wildland fire that occurred off of Mana Road near the Mauna Kea Access Road has burned 26 acres, according to the Hawai’i Fire Department.

There is no active fire at this time; however, firefighters are on the scene monitoring hot spots.

Mana Road is currently open, and there are no road closures.

Update 7:19 a.m. Aug. 13 update: A fire break was established around the Mana Road fire, according to Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency.

Original post: A blaze burning on the east slope of Mauna Kea has scorched 26.4 acres and is now 75% contained as of Tuesday afternoon.

The fire, named the Mana Road fire, ignited on Monday evening. Crews were dispatched to the scene at 6:43 p.m. The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife, along with firefighters from Pōhakuloa Training Area are assisting in battling the blaze.

Video below shows drone footage of the Mana Road fire Tuesday morning by Hawai‘i Fire Department.

Hawai‘i Fire Chief Kazuo Todd said there were no lightning strikes in the area where the fire started, so the blaze is likely to be human-caused. Whether it was intentional or accidental is still under investigation at this point.

Mana Road remains closed, however, Mauna Kea Access Road reopened earlier today.

According to DLNR officials, helicopters were called in to do water drops to douse the flames. DOFAW crews will continue to wet the perimeter of the fire to ensure it doesn’t spread.

Mike Diehl, U.S. Army Fire Chief, said firefighters from Pōhakuloa Training Area provided three brush trucks, a water tender and a command vehicle Monday night and crews laid about 2,000 feet of hose line.

Diehl said the Army National Guard started doing water drops on the fire today.

“We’re prepared remain out there as long as we’re needed,” Diehl said.