The Big Island fires were kicked up by high winds fueled by Hurricane Dora passing south of Hawaii, the National Weather Service said. The fires are burning in north and south Kohala, and in a Wednesday press conference Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth said firefighters are still battling all the fires.
Roth said as many as five separate fires ignited.
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The Akoni Pule Fire is burning in the North Kohala District off Akoni Pule Highway, also known as Highway 270, near Kohala Ranch, Hawaii County officials said in a Wednesday morning news release. The fire is roughly 60% contained, Roth said in a Wednesday morning Facebook video.
Another fire is in the South Kohala District in Waimea, Hawaii officials said. The South Kohala blaze is in and around the Mauna Kea Beach area as of Wednesday morning, Roth said.
Those in the Kohala Ranch area, below Kamakani Loop and North Fairways of the Mauna Kea Resort, a popular tourist destination, have been ordered to evacuate, according to a county notice last updated Wednesday at 4 a.m. HST. People staying at the popular Mauna Kea Beach Hotel are sheltering in place, Roth said.
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Two evacuation shelters have been opened, one at the Hisaoka Gym in Kapaʻau and one at the Waimea Community Center in Waimea, county officials said.
A wind advisory was issued by the National Weather Service for the Kohala area from 3:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. HST on Wednesday.
A red flag warning, which refers to expected fire danger due to strong winds and low humidity, also remains in place, the weather service said. The warning extends until 9 p.m. Wednesday for the following areas: Big Island Interior; Central Oahu; Kauai Leeward; Kohala; Kona; Lanai Makai; Lanai Mauka; Leeward Haleakala; Maui Central Valley; Maui Leeward West; Molokai Leeward; Oahu North Shore; Oahu South Shore; Olomana; South Big Island; Waianae Coast; Waianae Mountains.
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During the Wednesday press conference, Roth said his thoughts are also with the Maui region.
“The situation right now should take precedence over us,” he said.
More Hawaii Wildfire Coverage