UPDATE – (August 12 at 6:50 a.m.) – Hawaʻii Fire Department reports the wildland fire that started yesterday off of Daniel K. Inouye Highway has burned over 160 acres and is 60% contained. The highway will remain closed from the Old Saddle Road Junction to Highway 190 Junction as fire crews continue to fight the fire. Officials are asking motorists to please detour though Old Saddle Road, or use Highway 19 through Hāmākua.
(BIVN) – Two wildland fires ere reported burning off of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway in South Kohala on Tuesday afternoon, closing a portion of the cross-island roadway.
The Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense reported the fires near the 46 Mile Marker and the 47 Mile Marker.
Due to the fires, the Daniel K. Inouye Highway was closed in both directions between Old Saddle Road Junction and Highway 190 Junction.
“Please use Old Saddle Road and avoid the area where possible,” emergency officials advised.
The National Weather Service reports fire weather conditions this week will remain “just below critical thresholds due to the lack of stronger wind speeds.” Fore casters say “minimum humidity levels will briefly reach criteria each day over the driest leeward areas and the lower sustained wind speeds will be the limiting factor.”
UPDATE – (7 p.m.) – The Hawaiʻi Fire Department reports the wildland fire that started next to the Daniel K. Inouye Highway in the South Kohala District has burned over 70 acres.
Fire crews from the County, Hawaiʻi DLNR DOFAW, and Pōhakuloa Training Area continue to fight the fire, with air support from the Hawaiʻi National Guard.
As firefighting operations are projected to run through the night, and the Daniel K. Inouye Highway remains closed. Motorists may continue to detour through Old Saddle Road.
