Update: No injuries or evacuations reported during Ali‘i Drive brush fire

Update at 9:23 a.m. on Friday: Hawai‘i island police responded to a brush fire in Kailua-Kona Thursday evening, closing a portion of Ali‘i Drive for two hours as fire crews extinguished the blaze.
 
At about 6:09 p.m., Kona patrol officers responded to a reported brush fire in a vacant agriculture property near the block of 75-6000 Ali‘i Drive. As a result of the blaze, police closed Ali‘i Drive in both directions between Lunapule Road and Royal Poinciana Drive.
 
The fire, which covered an area 200 feet by 75 feet, was subsequently extinguished by Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel. There were no evacuations and no injuries during this event.
 
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

Update at 9:30 p.m. on Thursday: According to fire officials, the brush fire was under one acre. The flames got close to Kona Sea Condos and crews were planning to evacuate occupants. However, the evacuation was canceled since the fire was knocked down.

Original post: A portion of Ali‘i Drive is closed as Hawai‘i Fire Department battles a brush fire.

The road is closed between Lunapule Road and Royal Poinciana Drive and will require a detour of traffic for the next two hours. According to fire officials, the blaze is now under control.

The fire ignited between Ali‘i Lani Condos and Kona Sea Condos. It is unknown how large the blaze got at this time or if there were any evacuations.

This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it becomes available.