Fire crews aim the hose toward a tree burning Monday afternoon along the ravine near Waikoloa Elementary School. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Cooper/www.darkerview.com)

Firefighters responded to a 3:10 p.m. alarm Monday for a grass fire that burned approximately 4 acres along the ravine between the Waikoloa Elementary School and Waikoloa Baptist Church.

Fanned by strong winds the fire spread near Paniolo Avenue downhill along the ravine, prompting the evacuation of Keikiland preschool and detouring traffic to the sidestreets mauka of Paniolo Avenue.

Scorched kiawe trees and blackened grass extended to the back fence of the Baptist church.  

Firefighters from the Waikoloa Fire Station were joined by crews from the South Kohala Fire Station to extinguish the blaze and were still working hot spots at sunset. An engine company will remain on scene overnight to prevent flare-ups that may occur from any remaining embers.

The land is owned by Waikoloa Development Company.