NORTH KONA, Hawaii – An open field of dry brush continues to burn in North Kona on Sunday morning.

According to the latest dispatch by the Hawaii County Fire Department, yesterday’s runaway fire – first reported at 11:14 a.m. – has grown to involve an estimated 1,000 acres.

“A defensive attack was made from the foot of the fire and Kaiminani Dr.,” the dispatch states, “to protect surrounding subdivisions. Dozers and resources still working on containment of the fire, not under control.”

The cause of the fire is unknown. It has consumed mostly dead trees and tall dead grass on the northeast side of Hulikoa Drive, running into Kaiminani Drive.

On Saturday afternoon, about 300 residents of the Seascape Condominiums and the Lokahi Apartments were offered the chance to flee the smoke and fire conditions and shelter an evac center set up at the West Hawaii Civic Center. Very few took the county up on the offer, according to Glen Honda, the Assistant Fire Chief Support Services.

Although Hawaii County Civil Defense says there was never a threat to life or property, things were heating up in the Kohanaiki Business Park off Hulikoa Drive on Saturday. Fire crews fought back the flames as they crept up behind the commercial buildings. As of Sunday, it appears those structures have been saved. There were no reported injuries.

Photo taken on the Hulikoa Drive side of the Kohanaiki Business Park, as fire crews battle flames approaching the back of a building.