Puuanahulu brush fire contained, highway reopened

PUUANAHULU — A fire along Highway 190 was contained by a bulldozer-created firebreak Thursday and the firewatch has transitioned to state control, firefighters reported.

The fire, believed to be started by a lightning strike about 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, consumed just under 1,790 acres, creating a thick, smoky area across the west side of the island.

Highway 190 was closed for most of Thursday, but was reopened around 5 p.m. Active blazes were largely gone by 3 p.m., however, numerous hot spots flared up, firefighters reported.

The state took over the fire at 4:30 p.m.

The response included 16 county firefighters, six volunteer firefighters, 24 people from the Division of Fish and Wildlife and three bulldozer operators.

No injuries or property damage was reported. Around a dozen brush fires have been reported since February during what’s been a dry time of year. Officials suspect arson in several of them.

Email Graham Milldrum at gmilldrum@westhawaii today.com.