Lightning strikes ignite brush fires in South Kohala

Hawai‘i Fire Department reports there are two brush fires south of Waikōloa Road and mauka of Highway 190. Fire and smoke will be visible.

Both brush fires, which broke out at around 3 p.m. on Sunday, are in remote access areas, moving slowly south, and have consumed approximately 40 acres. The cause of both fires is lightning related.

The fires, which are in the vicinity of the Keamuku Maneuver Area, belong to the U.S. Army’s Garrison at Pōhakuloa Training Area. There were no units or troops training in the area, Hawai‘i County officials reported Sunday night.

Federal, County and volunteer firefighters, along with air assets from the U.S. Army and Hawaiʻi County are actively fighting the fires. Two bulldozers also are on the scene to assist with the firefighting. There are no roads closures and no structures are threatened.

All hunters in the area have been alerted and cleared away from the fires.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.