By Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Firefighters have been battling an out of control brushfire near the 45 mile marker of Saddle Road Tuesday (Oct 4). Police have closed Saddle Road on the West side at the Mamalahoa Highway junction (Hwy 190) and on the East side at the eight mile marker of Saddle Road. Hawaii County Civil Defense reports that the road will probably be closed through tomorrow (Oct 5).

The fire started around 11 a.m.  Tuesday and is spreading northeast from the Keamuku Maneuver Area (KMA) of Pohakuloa Training Area headed towards Saddle Road near Saddle Road the fire is burning between the Kilohana Girl Scout Camp and Waikii ranch. The fire has burned approximately 700 acres according to Army spokesman Michael Egami.

Fire crews from Hawaii County, PTA and State Forestry Division are battling the blaze along with one contract helicopter from PTA and two county helicopters making water drops.

The cause of the fire is unknown and there were no military maneuvers reported in the area.