UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (5/23/10 8:20 a.m.)

Firefighters responded to a 10:23 a.m. alarm Saturday (May 22) to a brushfire along the Akoni Pule Highway in the area of the 11 and 12 mile markers of the Kohala coast. The fire burned 300 acres and the highway was closed during the blaze and was re-opened at approximately 6:30 p.m.

The cause of the fire was exhaust from a compressor being used at a home. The fire spread west towards the ocean over open land and was pushed by moderate winds with gusts up to 20 mph. There was no damage to the residence.

Fire crews fought the fire with ground units and three helicopters while bulldozers cut fire breaks to contain the blaze. Hawaii County Police maintained roadblocks and diverted traffic through Kohala Ranch subdivision.

UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (5/22/10 at 8:07 p.m.)

The Akoni Pule Highway (Route 270) at the 12 mile marker has been opened. Please use caution some fire truck are still in the area monitoring the fire.

MEDIA RELEASE (5/22/10 at 1:03 p.m.)

At 11 a.m. Saturday (May 22) Hawaii County Police reported that a fire near the 12 mile marker of the Akoni Pule Highway (Hwy 270) has closed the roadway to traffic. The fire is about a mile south of Lapakahi State Historical Park. Drivers should seek alternate routes.

URGENT – FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HONOLULU HI
1106 AM HST SAT MAY 22 2010

…RED FLAG WARNING FOR LEEWARD SECTIONS OF ALL ISLANDS…

.STRONG AND GUSTY TRADE WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY WILL CREATE CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS THIS AFTERNOON.

KAUAI LEEWARD-OAHU SOUTH SHORE-WAIANAE COAST-OAHU NORTH SHORE- CENTRAL OAHU-WAIANAE MOUNTAINS-MOLOKAI LEEWARD-MAUI LEEWARD WEST- MAUI CENTRAL VALLEY-LEEWARD HALEAKALA-KONA-SOUTH BIG ISLAND- KOHALA-
1106 AM HST SAT MAY 22 2010

…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST THIS EVENING…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HONOLULU HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING…WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST THIS EVENING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW…OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS…LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY…AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE RAPID FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL. A RED FLAG WARNING DOES NOT PREDICT NEW FIRE STARTS.