The fire at the 1,680-foot elevation near Pepeiao Cabin in Ka'u was threatening to consume some rare red-flowered 'ohai plants, but does not pose a danger to any buildings in the remote area, said national park fire management officer Joe Molhoek.

Molhoek said the winds have pushed the fire up against old lava flows to the north and west edges of the burn, which has helped the effort to control the blaze.

About 20 firefighters were on the ground working by hand this morning to build a fire break on the eastern edge of the blaze, while helicopters from Tropical Helicopters and Volcano Helicopters on the Big Island and Windward Aviation on Maui assisted with water drops, said Park Ranger Mardie Lane.

Lane said another 20 firefighters from Eldorado National Forest in California were due to arrive in Hilo about 2:30 p.m. today.

Lane said the winds this morning were 17 mph and out of the northeast, and might pick up during the day. There was no rain overnight, she said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, Molhoek said.

People who initially saw the fire Sunday evening confused it with a volcanic eruption

Motorists are urged to use caution when driving through the area near the 43-mile marker of the Hawai'i Belt Road. The park has closed Hilina Pali Road at the Mauna Iki trailhead. Mauna Iki Trail and Ka'u Desert Trails were also closed.