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Hawaii County firefighters continue to battle Big Island brush fire

UPDATE: 5:10 a.m.

Hawaii County firefighters continue to fight a brush fire near Waikoloa.

The following roads remain closed:

>> Highway 190 between Waikoloa Road junction and Kaiminani Drive.

>> Daniel K. Inouye Highway between the Old Saddle Road junction and Highway 190 junction.

Highway 190 between Kaiminani Drive and Puu Lani Ranch is open to local traffic only.

For drivers traveling from Hilo to Kona, use the Daniel K. Inouye Highway to the Old Saddle Road junction at the 43 mile-marker to Highway 190. Drivers may detour through Waikoloa to Queen Kaahumanu.

Waimea through Kawaihae to Queen Kaahumanu Highway is open. For drivers traveling south, Highway 11 is open.

FRIDAY, AUG. 3

7:30 p.m.

Waikoloa Road has reopened to traffic but all other road closures remain in effect as firefighters continue to battle a large brush fire near Waikoloa.

3 p.m.

The following roads remain closed as Hawaii County firefighters continue to battle a large brush fire near Waikoloa that has scorched approximately 10,000 acres since Wednesday:

>> Highway 190 between the Old Saddle Road junction and Kaiminani Drive.

>> Waikoloa Road between Waikoloa Village and Highway 190 junction.

>> Daniel K. Inouye Highway between the Old Saddle Road and Highway 190 junctions.

The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency said Highway 190 between Kaiminani Drive and Puu Lani Ranch is open to local traffic only.

For motorists traveling to Kona from Hilo, use Hamakua to Waimea or Daniel K. Inouye to the Old Saddle Road junction at the 43 mile-marker detour to Waimea.

Officials said Waimea through Kawaihae to Queen Kaahumanu Highway is open.

THURSDAY, AUG. 2

11:40 a.m.

The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency has announced the closure of Highway 190 from Old Saddle Road to the Daniel K. Inouye junction through this afternoon as firefighters continue to battle a massive brush fire near Waikoloa.

Waikoloa Road remains closed from Highway 190 to Paniolo Avenue.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Hawaii County firefighters continued to battle a large brush fire today near Waikoloa that has burned about 5,000 acres.

Firefighters initially responded to the fire in the area of Highway 190 shortly after 12:50 p.m. Wednesday.

Hours later, the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency advised the public to monitor air conditions after winds blew heavy smoke into Waikoloa Village.

Capt. Lyle Loyola of the Waikoloa Fire Station said a fire helicopter is conducting water drops today as firefighters continue to battle the fire.

Waikoloa Road from Highway 190 to Paniolo Avenue is closed to motorists.

Highway 190 is open. Motorists are advised to exercise caution between Daniel K. Inouye Highway and Old Saddle Road.

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