UPDATED (10:32 p.m. on 8/8/2015)

10:30 p.m. Hawaii County Civil Defense audio message

This message this is a brushfire and road closure information update for Saturday, August 8, at 10:30 p.m. The Hawaii Fire Department reports that the brushfires in the Kawaihae area continue to burn out of control.

Due to gusty wind conditions and heavy smoke the following areas are being evacuated as a precaution:

• Spencer Beach Park
• Kawaihae Village area

Residents and tenants of the Mauna Kea Bluffs subdivision are being allowed to return home.

The evacuation center at the Thelma Parker Gym in Waimea will remain open through the night.

In addition the following road closures are in effect Queen Kaahumanu Highway is closed to all traffic from Puako Beach Drive. Kawaihae Road is closed between the 62 mile mark on the Waimea, or east side, and the Akoni Pule Junction at Kawaihae Harbor. Kohala traffic on Akoni Pule Highway is being detoured through the Kohala Ranch subdivision. Motorists are advised to avoid the area to use alternate routes if possible.

UPDATED (8:45 p.m. on 8/8/2015)

The American Red Cross has opened a shelter at the Thelma Parker Gym in Waimea for residents evacuated from their homes due to the brushfire. The gym is located at 16-1209 Mamalahoa Highway, Kamuela, Hawaii.

UPDATED (8 p.m. on 8/8/2015)

Flames move through brush along Kawaihae Road. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Jessica Ferracane)

Power was reported to be out in the Mauna Kea Beach area for about 20 customers at 4:50 p.m. but full power was restored to that area by 6:55 p.m.

Power outages have been reported in Waimea with HELCO crews responding.

UPDATED (4:45 p.m. on 8/8/2015)

Smoke from a runaway brushfire chokes the air Saturday evening over North Kohala. (Hawaii 24/7 photo by Jessica Ferracane)

Hawaii County Civil Defense 4:45 p.m. audio update message

This message this is a brushfire and road closure information update for Saturday, August 8, at 4:45 p.m. The Hawaii Fire Department reports that the runaway brush fire in the area of the 66 mile marker of Kawaihae Road has jumped multiple areas along the roadway and is spreading in multiple directions.

Due to gusty wind conditions and heavy smoke the following areas are being evacuated as a precaution:

• Spencer Beach Park
• Kawaihae Village area
• Mauna Kea Beach North Bluffs

Evacuation centers have been opened at the following sites. Thelma Parker Gym in Waimea and the Waikoloa Community Park also referred to as Puu Nui Park.

In addition the following road closures are in effect Queen Kaahumanu Highway is closed to all traffic from Puako Beach Drive. Kawaihae Road is closed between the 62 mile mark on the Waimea, or east side, and the Akoni Pule Junction at Kawaihae Harbor. Kohala traffic on Akoni Pule Highway is being detoured through the Kohala Ranch subdivision. Motorists are advised to avoid the area to use alternate routes if possible.

UPDATED (3:33 p.m. on 8/8/2015)

Due to a brush fire, Kawaihae Road, from the 62 mile marker, and Queen Kaahumanu Highway, north of Puako Drive, has been closed.

Due to these road closures, motorists are advised to use Route 190 and Waikoloa Road as alternate routes. Route 250, also known as the Kohala Mountain Road, remains open.

In addition to the road closures, Spencer Beach Park and Kawaihae Village are being evacuated. Emergency shelters have been set up at the Thelma Parker Gym in Waimea and Waikoloa Community Park (Pu‘u Nui Park).

(1:50 p.m. 8/8/2015)

The Hawaii Fire Department reports a runaway brush fire in the area the 66 mile mark of Kawaihae Road just east or mauka of the Queen Kaahumanu intersection.

Kawaihae Road is currently limited to one lane traffic flow only and motorists are advised to avoid the area and to use alternate routes if possible. Currently the fire is burning on the south or Kona side of the roadway and moving in a southerly direction. No property is threatened at this time and fire personnel are on scene working to contain and extinguish the fire.