Brush fire closes Hwy 11 near Punaluu

PUNALUU — A runaway brush fire that prompted the closure of Highway 11 near the Punaluu Beach Park burned 217 acres as of Monday evening, said Assistant Fire Chief Glen Honda.

The Hawaii County Fire Department was working to contain the blaze, Honda said.

Ninole Loop was being used as a detour.

The fire was reported at 12:15 p.m. at mile marker 56 and quickly spread from the makai side of the highway up the hillside, Honda said.

The fire came within 200 yards of homes and firebreaks were being constructed, he said. No structures were considered threatened as of Monday afternoon.