A fast-spreading brushfire, fueled by strong winds, has charred 16 acres on the Big Island, authorities said.

The fire at the telephone exchange on Kohala Mountain Road, on Highway 50, began at 11:20 a.m. today. Crews will remained on scene with tankers and bulldozers to battle the blaze through the night to put out hotspots.

Parker Ranch owns the land where the brush fire is located. It is believed to have been started by construction workers welding in the area, firefighters said.