(BIVN) – Emergency officials are expanding the evacuation area in North Kohala as the brush fire that started this morning off of Akoni Pule Highway near Kohala Ranch continues to burn.
In a 11 a.m. HST message from the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, officials requested the evacuation of the following residential areas:
- Kohala Ranch, north and south of Ala Kahua Street
- Kohala By the Sea
- Kohala Waterfront
- Kohala Estates
County officials say evacuation shelters have been opened in North Kohala at Hisaoka Gym in Kapaʻau, and in Waimea at the Waimea Community Center.
A second brush fire in Waimea near Lalamilo subdivision has been restricted within containment lines, emergency officials say.
A High Wind Warning and a Red Flag Warning remains in place for Kohala, as well as other leeward and interior areas of Hawaiʻi island.
