Firefighters Tuesday evening continue to battle two brush fires that have consumed about 3,400 acres in the Pahala area.
Firefighters Tuesday evening continue to battle two brush fires that have consumed about 3,400 acres in the Pahala area.
Highway 11, between Kamani Street and mile marker 46, remains closed, according to the Hawaii Police Department. No detours are in place.
One of the fires, located makai of Highway 11, had consumed 3,000 acres as of late Tuesday, said Hawaii Fire Department Assistant Chief Glen Honda. The blaze continues to spread makai and northeast, toward Hilo.
He was unable to provide what percentage of the fire is contained, however, earlier Tuesday afternoon, East Hawaii Battalion Chief Aaron Arbles estimated containment at 40 percent.
The hospital, which was evacuated Monday due to smoke crossing the highway and entering the building, reopened its emergency room about 7 p.m. Tuesday. More than a dozen long-term care patients remain at Naalehu Community Center.
The second fire, located mauka of Pahala, has burned about 400 acres, Honda said. He estimated the fire is about 60 percent contained. It is not spreading.
Approximately 30 firefighters are on scene and will continue to battle the fires throughout the night, Honda said.