Updated at 8:15 a.m., Thursday, April 12, 2007
Big Island brush fire burns 10 acres in Honoka'a area
Advertiser Staff
Big Island firefighters spent about four hours yesterday afternoon battling a brush fire in the Kupulena area of Honoka'a.No injuries were reported.
They arrived at the scene about 12:15 p.m. to find about 5 acres of dry grass and large ironwood trees burning out of control on land owned by the Hamakua Agricultural Land Cooperative.
The fire was apparently ignited by a lawnmower that was destroyed by the blaze, fire officials said. The lawnmower operator was unable to extinguish the fire, which spread quickly due to wind and lack of water, the officials said.
Six vehicles were sent to fight the fire along with two Big Island Fire Department helicopters and a private helicopter that provided water drops. A bulldozer owned by a co-op member was also used to cut fire breaks.
Firefighters contained the fire to about 10 acres.
A storage container with unknown contents burned to the ground before the fire was reported extinguished about 4:25 p.m.
