Battle against Pahala fires continues

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A 5,000-plus-acre Pahala brush fire kept firefighters busy Wednesday as crews continue work to douse the blaze that has been burning for nearly two weeks.

A 5,000-plus-acre Pahala brush fire kept firefighters busy Wednesday as crews continue work to douse the blaze that has been burning for nearly two weeks.

The makai fire, one of two fires burning since June 18 in the area, remains at 5,200 acres, said Hawaii Fire Department East Hawaii Battalion Chief Michael Hayashida. Though a perimeter has been established, the fire is listed as 60 percent contained.

A second 400-acre brush fire burning above Pahala off Cane Haul Road continues to burn but is listed at 95 percent contained, according to the department.

Firefighters were to remain at the scene throughout the night dousing an hot spots or flareups outside the fires’ containment zones, Hayashida added.