Firefighters’ quick actions stop spread of brush fire near Namakani Paio Campground

The cause of a Thursday afternoon brush fire that broke out along Highway 11 in Puna remains under investigation.

Responding to the 4:51 p.m. report, firefighters arrived near mile marker 31 on Highway 11 in the vicinity of Namakani Paio Campground to find a brush fire burning on National Park property, according to the Hawaii Fire Department. Moderate winds were fanning the blaze as it burned through “very dry brush.”

The department said that initial reporting callers indicted that there was a tree on fire on the makai side of the highway with subsequent callers reporting a fast-spreading brush fire in the area.

“Thanks to the hard work and quick actions of personnel from the Volcano fire station, they were able to stop the fire from running while they waited on back-up units from Pahala and Keaau, as well as volunteers to assist with containment and extinguishment,” a media release from the department reads.

The scene was eventually turned over to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park personnel for continuing mop-up operations.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined and no injuries were reported, according to the department.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Spokeswoman Jessica Ferracane said Friday morning the fire scorched 2 acres and was 100% contained. No structures were lost.

Many areas in the park are under severe fire danger due to low rainfall amounts. Mauna Loa Road from Kipukapuaulu to Mauna Loa Lookout is currently closed to vehicles due to very high fire danger, the service said in a press release.