However, the Waikoloa Lions Club’s “Island Fever” car show held at the school Saturday was evacuated by police shortly after the blaze started just as a precaution. No other evacuations were ordered and no injuries were reported.
A brush fire near Waikoloa Elementary School, which burned about 80 acres, is now contained and expected to be out by this afternoon, said Hawaii Fire Department Battalion Chief Ty Medeiros.
The rain and helicopter bucket drop operations helped crews gain significant ground on the fire. Also, fire breaks from other previous fires were a key part of helping slow down the fuel supply, Medeiros said.
Firefighters are still at the scene quashing any hot spots or flare-ups, he said.
The fire, reported about 12:45 p.m. Saturday, scorched the area behind the elementary school spanning north behind homes along West Makuahini Street and Kekumu Place within the Waikoloa Village area.
According to the Hawaii Fire Department, an unauthorized burn may have started the fire, which is still under investigation.
The blaze did not threaten any homes, or the school, because of an existing roadway between that separated the fire from the structures. The fire also did not force road closures.
However, the Waikoloa Lions Club’s “Island Fever” car show held at the school Saturday was evacuated by police shortly after the blaze started just as a precaution. No other evacuations were ordered and no injuries were reported.