Brush fire scorches Kaupulehu acreage

Firefighters were still working Thursday evening to quash a brush fire that broke out earlier in the day in Kaupulehu.

The fire burned more than 100 acres of open brush on the makai side of Highway 190, between mile makers 26 and 27, according to Hawaii Fire Department and state firefighters on the scene.

As the county’s two helicopters dropped water to try and halt the flames’ advance, a bulldozer was working to cut a perimeter around the blaze, which was relatively inaccessible to firefighters.

Crews were to remain at the scene into the night.

No structures were threatened as of press-time and the highway remained open.