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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 2:32 p.m., Monday, September 3, 2007

Firefighters rescue 13 campers from Big Island brushfire

Advertiser Staff

Big Island firefighters rescued 13 people camping near a runaway brushfire that started in South Kohala last night, said Capt. A. Albretchson of the South Kohala Fire Station.

No injuries were reported.

Firefighters were called to a spot near the 10-mile marker of Akoni Pule Highway about 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Albretchon said. The fire was burning on four to five acres of land just makai of the highway and headed toward the ocean when firefighters arrived.

Firefighters used four-wheel-drive vehicles to reach the campers, who were in the path of the brush fire.

Four engines, two tankers and the department helicopter were all sent. Bulldozers were used to create fire breaks.

The fire was under control by 3:10 a.m. today. By noon today, the fire was contained and had burned 98 acres.

The cause of the fire is under investigation but Albretchson said it was "suspicious in nature due to multiple fires along the highway."