As of press time, Queen Kaahumanu Highway, between Henry and Lako streets, and Hualalai Road, between Kuakini and Queen Kaahumanu highways, remained closed because fire crews remained on the scene.
BY CHELSEA JENSEN | WEST HAWAII TODAY
A brush fire ripped through dry brush, crossed two roads and prompted evacuations before firefighters were able to control the blaze Tuesday afternoon in Kailua-Kona.
No homes or structures were involved in the fire that consumed about 35 acres in the vicinity of Nani Kailua Drive before firefighters were able to control the blaze, said Hawaii Fire Department Battalion Chief Aaron Arbles. The fire, reported about 2 p.m., did come very close to homes and burnt some fences.
As of press time, the fire was under control and about 95 percent contained. Fire crews will remain on the scene throughout the night to quash any flare-ups, he said.
Residents of the south side of The Pines subdivision, lower Kailua View Estates and Hualalai Elderly were evacuated, Arbles said. About 40 Hualalai Elderly residents evacuated because of smoky conditions are being sheltered at the county’s Kekuaokalani Gym, he added. Evacuations remained in effect as of press time.
The fire apparently started mauka of the University of the Nations and traveled mauka through dry brush before reaching Hualalai Road, Arbles said. The fire then crossed Hualalai Road and headed mauka along the south side of The Pines subdivision, scorching some residents’ fences, but leaving homes unscathed, he said.
It then jumped Queen Kaahumanu Highway and continued its mauka trek, however, county full-time, volunteer, federal and state firefighters were able to halt the blaze near Welo Street. The fire was fanned by winds between 6 and 8 mph, he said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, Arbles said. No injuries were reported.
The Pines subdivision resident Bill Upston remained at his home along Hualalai Road while firefighters worked to douse the blaze. Though the flames crossed the road within a stone’s-throw of his home, he stayed put, noting that he’d expected a fire in the area considering how dry it’s been.
“We’ve been looking at these weeds wondering if it would burn before it turned green again,” he said while neighbors used hoses to wet down yards and homes. “It was quick.”
The fire also led to road closures, which snarled traffic in much of Kailua-Kona throughout the afternoon and early evening.
As of press time, Queen Kaahumanu Highway, between Henry and Lako streets, and Hualalai Road, between Kuakini and Queen Kaahumanu highways, remained closed because fire crews remained on the scene.