West Hawai’i Residential Area Spared by Wednesday Fire

Wednesday’s brush fire that broke out in the He’enalu Street area of West Hawai’i was under control as of 3:45 p.m.

Hawai’i County Fire Department crews arrived on the scene at 11:37 a.m. Wednesday to find an active brushfire, which began on a vacant lot heading east toward Kololia Street and Halawai Place.

Fire crews began suppression operations with HFD apparatus at the origin of the fire using both handlines and water bucket drops with both of HFD’s choppers.

Once the origin site was under control, all units reported to Kololia Street and Halawai Place to make a stand to protect residential structures from the fire that was “fast approaching,” according to HFD officials.

On Wednesday evening, HFD Assistant Fire Chief Glen Honda told Big Island Now that no homes had been reported as damaged, although the fire crept up to fire breaks behind homes in the area.

Voluntary evacuations took place in the early afternoon hours, however, residents were able to return to their homes later in the day.

In total, about 25 acres burned in the fire, which spanned open land and fields in a wildland and urban interface.

Crews remained on the scene overnight to monitor for flare ups.

Family court closed for the remainder of Wednesday’s workday. The court was slated to reopen under normal operating hours Thursday morning.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.