Firefighters continue to battle Kawaihae brush fire

Firefighters Friday continued to battle a brush fire that’s consumed hundreds of acres in the Kawaihae area.

The brush fire, which ignited shortly before 8:30 a.m. Thursday mauka of Akoni Pule Highway, in the area of mile marker 5.5, which is near Kohala By The Sea, according to the Hawaii Fire Department.

Within several hours, the fire had burned more than 160 acres between the Kohala By The Sea subdivision in North Kohala and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands subdivision in South Kohala, fire officials said.

By 11 p.m., the fire was nearing 400 acres and 60% contained.

As of Friday afternoon, fire officials said the blaze had consumed 380 acres. It was listed at 80% contained.

No structures were threatened, evacuations ordered or injuries reported, according to the department.

Firefighters were to remain on the scene throughout the night.