Gov. David Ige declares state of emergency for Hawaii County after wildfire scorches at least 40,000 acres

UPDATE: 4:30 p.m.

Gov. David Ige today declared a state of emergency for Hawaii island due to the wildfire that burned at least 40,000 acres of land.

The declaration allows the governor to activate the major disaster fund and spend state funds as appropriated to protect the health, safety and welfare of Hawaii County residents and visitors, according to a news release from his office.

It also supports the state’s efforts to provide quick and efficient relief of suffering, damage and losses caused by wildfires.

The disaster emergency relief period is now in effect and runs through Oct. 1.

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The wildfire that scorched at least 40,000 acres of land on Hawaii island is now 95% contained, said Mayor Mitch Roth today.

The Hawaii County Fire Department, state Division of Forestry and Wildlife and Army’s Pohakuloa Fire Department battled the fire that broke out near Mana Road Friday. Private companies and 70 members of the National Guard also assisted.

The inferno burned at least 40,000 acres of land in Waimea and South Kohala and destroyed two homes, one of which was located in the Puukapu Hawaiian Homestead.

In a statement posted on his Facebook and Instagram pages, Roth said, “We cannot thank those brave men and women, our public partners, and the private sector enough for their willingness to drop everything to help us contain this fire.”

The mayor also thanked community members who banned together to provide meals to first responders and helped displaced residents who were directly impacted by the wildfire.

Roth described the wildfire as the largest fire “in our island’s recent history.”