Hawaii District Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting units will take part in fire training exercises this week at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole.
The training began Monday and continues through Thursday with two training fires daily at approximately 1 p.m. and 6 p.m., according to the state Department of Transportation Airports Division. Units will be testing response protocol to a live emergency scenario involving burning fuel.
The exercises will produce smoke in the area, the department cautioned.
“This is just a drill and not a real-life emergency,” the department said in a press release.
The exercise is an annual requirement by the Federal Aviation Administration for the recertification of fire and rescue personnel.
Flight operations will continue as normal during the exercise with no impact to arriving or departing flights.