The Hawaii County Fire Department are blaming fireworks for starting a brush fire that burned 50 to 70 acres near the Kona Palisades subdivision.

Firefighters battled the blaze for five hours on the north side of Kaiminani Drive, west of Makamaka Street yesterday.

The blaze, first reported at 11:41 a.m., was brought under control by 3 p.m. and fully extinguished by 4:50 p.m.

Fire crews set a back fire and used hand lines to fight the blaze. Helicopters also dropped water on the fire.

The effort involved four engines, two tankers, two medic units, two helicopters and four other units.

Fireworks were found at the scene where the brush fire started.