Firefighters Continue Mop-Up Efforts in Ka‘u

Firefighters on Friday continued to maintain perimeters and monitor hotspots in the two fires that have burned since Monday in Ka‘u.

The larger of the fires, which in its early stages had threatened Pahala, was 60% contained today. Firefighters were concentrating their efforts on the fire’s northern and southern flanks, the Hawaii Fire Department said late this afternoon.

At last report that fire had blackened nearly 5,000 acres.

The other fire, located about two miles mauka of Highway 11 and southwest of Pahala, remained under control today. Fire department officials said the area burned remained at about 400 acres.

A total of 18 personnel continued monitoring the firefighting efforts today including a four-person engine crew from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.