KAILUA-KONA — Cooler weather, afternoon cloud cover and rain helped firefighters gain traction on the Keauhou Fire on the northeastern slopes of Mauna Loa.
Burning since Aug. 5, the 3,739-acre fire was about 90 percent contanined as of Thursday evening, according to the Southern California Incident Management Team Two of theNational Wildfire Coordinating Group, which took over Aug. 10. The Natiponal Park Service resumed command Thursday morning.
Firefighters Thursday continued to protect the Kipuka Ki and Kipuka Puaulu Special Ecological Areas, cultural heritage areas and rare forest habitat for endangered species.
Firefighters also worked along the Mauna Loa Road with park biologists to carefully fall a limited number of trees that became hazards from the fire. By proactively taking down these trees, the area becomes not only safer for firefighters, but also for the park’s resource advisors and scientists who are studying the fire area and the long-term effects.
The fire may be visible from Highway 11, especially for Hilo-bound traffic, but is not impacting the road or travel.
The cause of the fire, which started about 11 a.m. Aug. 5 outside the park in Keauhou Ranch, is listed as human. A total of 85 personnel were battling the blaze Tuesday.
For the latest update on the fire, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6114.