UPDATE ON FIRE ALONG SOUTH POINT ROAD IN THE KĀʻU DISTRICT

UPDATE ON FIRE ALONG SOUTH POINT ROAD IN THE KĀʻU DISTRICT

The County of Hawaiʻi provides the following update regarding the ongoing fire along South Point Road in the Kāʻu District. First responders were dispatched to the scene at approximately 2:15 PM today, where they promptly initiated efforts to contain the fire and ensure the safety of the public.

At the time of the fire, approximately 20 vehicles were located south of the fire’s path. Due to the swift and coordinated actions of both police and fire personnel, all vehicles were safely escorted out of the area, and no injuries have been reported. We are pleased to confirm that no structures or lives are currently at risk.

The fire, however, continues to pose a threat to livestock and pasturelands in the area. Local ranchers are on-site and actively assisting fire crews in safeguarding these resources. The fire has been successfully contained to the east of the highway, and firefighting efforts are now focused on preventing its spread to the west. An estimate of the acreage affected is around 30 acres at this time. Assessments will continue as the situation progresses.

Sustained winds of 19 mph, with gusts of up to 24 mph, have presented challenges to firefighting operations, but crews remain dedicated to containing and extinguishing the fire. The Department of Public Works is also on site with tanker trucks to assist.

The Hawaiʻi County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been partially activated to support the response and coordinate resources as necessary. Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide timely updates to the public as more information becomes available.

Residents are encouraged to visit the County’s hazard map at https://tinyurl.com/mt6bw93e and sign up for notifications through the Everbridge platform to receive the latest information directly.

We extend our gratitude to the first responders, ranchers, and community members for their cooperation and support during this time. The safety and well-being of our residents remain our top priority, and we will continue to take all necessary measures to protect our community.