UPDATE – (6 a.m. on Friday, August 22) – The 3, simultaneous brush fires that were reported at a “homeless camp near (an) old burn area on Lehua Street” in Honokaʻa were extinguished before midnight, the Hawaiʻi Fire Department reports.

Officials say approximately 3 acres were burned, with no lives or homes threatened. Helicopters were used to fight the fire, and a D6 dozer created a new fire break to help contain the blaze. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

FIRST REPORT

(BIVN) – Multiple wildland fires were reported near Honokaʻa in the Hāmākua District on Thursday evening.

The Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense issued an alert message, saying firefighters were on the scene. The fires were not threatening property, “and there are no suggested actions at this time,” the emergency officials stated.

Earlier in the day, the Hawaiʻi Fire Department responded to a 10-acre wildland fire in South Kohala that forced the closure of Kawaihae Road. No structures were involved in the fire, and no civilians were injured, fire officials said.

This is a breaking news story that will be updated when more information becomes available.