Update: Hawai‘i firefighters battling blaze in Hāmākua forest reserve, 30% contained

Update, 10:55 a.m. Sept. 7 | The Manowaiale`e Forest Reserve fire in the Hāmākua District has burned approximately 420 acres and is 30% contained, according to the Hawai’i Fire Department.

Smoke is visible in the area, and it may also be noticeable in other parts of Hawaii Island, including Kohala and Kona Districts.

There are no communities or structures at risk, and no road closures caused by the fire, as crews keep actively fighting the fire.

Update, 8:00 a.m. Sept. 7 | The Manowaiale`e Forest Reserve, part of the Eucalyptus Forest, has become a larger wildfire, prompting an emergency response from multiple agencies.

The fire was first reported on Sept. 5, at approximately 6:56 p.m. near Kaala Road, Laupāhoehoe, when multiple units responded to reports of smoke in the area, according to the press release.

Fire crews observed a plume of smoke emerging from deep within dense eucalyptus forest. Due to the remote location, the fire was inaccessible to both ground crews and vehicles.

A night watch was established to monitor its movement.

Early on day two, on Sept. 7, Battalion Chief 1 and Captain 17 launched a full-scale wildfire response after the fire intensified and shifted direction.

The flames started engulfing eucalyptus groves and spread into the neighboring Koa Forest Reserve.

To fight the advancing fire, four D6 bulldozers were used to create firebreaks and open access routes for the Hawai‘i Fire Department and volunteer responders, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and National Park personnel.

Despite these efforts, the fire breached containment lines and spread further into the Koa Forest. So far, all responding personnel are on the scene actively fighting the fire.

The wildfire continues to burn, and officials have not yet provided estimates for containment or total acreage affected.

Original Post | Hawai‘i firefighters are battling a brush fire in the Manowaiale‘e Forest Reserve in Hāmākua District.

The blaze, located mauka (mountainside) of milemarker 32 of Highway 19 and O‘okala, has scorched 30 acres. There are currently no communities or structures threatened as flames are burning in a remote area.

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