OOKALA, Hawaii (KITV4) There are some evacuations in progress after a brush fire was reported to have broken out in the Ookala region on the Big Island, Thursday, late afternoon.
It is thought that the fire begun near mile Marker 30, which is located on Hawaii Belt Road, on the makai end of Old Mamalahoa Highway near Ookala in the Hamakua District.
As of the last report, fire consumed about 10 acres of land, however, no structures or homes were threatened. The evacuations that have been ordered in Ookala are in place to protect the residents in nature, officials from the Hawaii Fire Department says.
The homes west of the Ookala Graveyard Road are those which are affected by the evacuation as per Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth. A evacuation center has been set up in the Paauilo Gym.
The old Mammalahoa Highway has been closed because of the fire. Drivers are advised to stay clear of the area while firefighters attempt to contain the fire, and police have been asked to evacuate residents.