Ka'upulehu Information Update for February 11th, 2021
Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) crews continue to battle a large brush fire north of the Nanea Golf Course (Ka'upulehu) in North Kona Thursday afternoon (February 11th).
Published by: HIRSC - Hawaii Island (Holualoa) and Administration/Moderating Team
info@hiradioscannercommunity.com
(Media wanting to use photos in the slideshow, please message HIRSC Administrator Benjamin Agdeppa for use and permission)
The Hawaii Fire Department (HFD) remain at the scene of a large brush fire that broke out in a remote area just north of the Nanea Golf Course (Ka'upulehu Development) in North Kona Thursday afternoon (February 11th).
The initial call came in at 12:58 pm Thursday afternoon and HFD Crews from the South Kohala, Waikoloa, Waimea (Tanker 9), Kailua-Kona, and Makalei Fire Station along with Battalion 2, Chopper 1, Chopper 2, and Volunteers from the Kalaoa Mauka and Anekona Station responded to the scene located approximately 2 miles mauka (mountain side) of Queen Kaahumanu Highway in the area of Nanea Golf Course (or closer reference would be 1.25 miles below Highway 190 at the 27-mile marker).
Preliminary details received from officials is that fire had broken out in a dry brush area north of the Nanea Golf Course in Ka'upulehu just before 1:00 pm Thursday afternoon and HFD Crews are having difficultly accessing the fronts of the fire and utilized Chopper 1 and Chopper 2 to conduct water bucket drops around the perimeter of the fire. HFD Ground Crews were also utilizing 4x4 off-road vehicles to access the origin of the fire and working to extinguish the fire in the immediate area.
Two privately contracted bulldozers were en-route to the scene to begin cutting fire breaks. HFD crews are also staged along Highway 190 (Mamalahoa Highway) near the 27-mile marker as a precaution to prevent the fire from jumping the highway and were working with the Department of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) officials to utilize existing 4x4 roads to reach north and east fronts of the fire.
Currently, the fire continues to burn in a dry open pasture and hitting some natural fire breaks (open lava field), which is helping fire crews with containment. There is no threat to structures and both Highway 19 (Queen Kaahumanu Highway) and Highway 190 remain open to traffic at this time.
The brush fire has burned approximately 100 acres and not under control at this time.
This is an ongoing incident and will provide updates as they become available.