UPDATE: Wildland fire that caused closure of Daniel K. Inouye Highway has burned 70+ acres

Update at 7:47 p.m. Aug. 11, 2026: Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense reported at 6:48 p.m. that Hawaiʻi Fire Department says the wildland fire that prompted the closure of Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road, in South Kohala has burned 70+ acres.

Fire crews from Hawaiʻi County, state Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Pōhakuloa Training Area and air support from the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard continue to fight the blaze, which started the afternoon of Aug. 11 next to the highway.

Firefighting operations are projected to continue throughout the night, and Daniel K. Inouye Highway remains closed. Motorists can use Old Saddle Road as a detour.

Update at 6:07 p.m. Aug. 11, 2026: Big Island police reported just before 5:30 p.m. Aug. 11 that Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road, remains closed between Old Saddle Road and Highway 190. Old Saddle Road remains open to traffic.

Original post at 2:06 p.m. Aug. 11, 2026: Authorities are urging motorists to avoid a section of Daniel K. Inouye Highway due to a brush fire burning in the South Kohala area.

The Hawaiʻi Police Department said the highway is closed from Old Saddle Road to the 46-mile marker because of the fire. The closure is expected to remain in effect for about four hours.

Motorists should avoid the area and use alternate routes until the roadway is reopened.

Police did not immediately provide additional information about the fire, including its size or cause.