Fire burns 400 acres in North Kona

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Firefighters are continuing to battle a brush fire that broke out Saturday afternoon near the Kohanaiki Business Park in North Kona.

Firefighters are continuing to battle a brush fire that broke out Saturday afternoon near the Kohanaiki Business Park in North Kona.

The fire, reported around noon, has consumed 400 acres between the business park, located on Hulikoa Drive, and Wainani Estates, located off Kaiminani Drive, according to the Hawaii Fire Department.

An evacuation ordered for residents of the Lokahi Ka‘u Affordable Apartments has been lifted. Residents are being allowed to return home.

Two bulldozers are working to establish perimeters on the fire’s northern side, near the Lokahi apartments, and on the fire’s southern side near Hulikoa Road. A determination of containment and control was planned to be made after the perimeter was established, according to the department.

A total of 16 units, including various Hawaii Fire Department and volunteer fire stations, responded to the fire. They were assisted by two Hawaii County helicopters providing water drops.