8-acre brush fire contained on Big Isle

Fire crews mopped up Saturday after a brush fire charred 8 acres near the Hualalai Elderly Housing in Kailua-Kona.

Firefighters arrived on the scene near Hualalai Road just before noon Friday and brought the fire under control by 2:35 p.m.

Officials said strands of dry grass and kiawe trees created heavy fuel for the fire. Variable winds from the south also contributed to the blaze.

The fire started at the southern end of an open field and moved north toward Hualalai Road, officials said. It was still active around 9 p.m. Friday, but called 60 percent contained.

Hawaii County officials said no one was injured, but the area was evacuated and traffic was rerouted.

Dirt bike accident injures rider

Maui fire rescue personnel assisted a 52-year-old man injured in a dirt bike crash Saturday afternoon in the hills above Lahainaluna High School.

The initial call for help came around 2:20 p.m. The rider, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries to his wrist and leg, was found 40 minutes later in former sugar cane fields about a half-mile from the school.

The man was airlifted to the school, then transported by paramedics to Maui Memorial Medical Center.