As of yesterday afternoon, the five-acre wildfire sparked by lightning in a remote wilderness area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was 70% contained.

A 15-person National Park Service wildland firefighting team, assisted by a helicopter, continued to douse flames in the rocky terrain below the Hilina Pali Lookout.  The burn area contains remnant dryland ‘ōhiʻa trees and native shrubs but is otherwise dominated by alien grasses that can promote fire spread and increase fire severity, exacerbating the loss of native species in the area.

Park staff spotted a plume of smoke below Hilina Pali Lookout at the 2,000-foot elevation on Tuesday, December 20.

Kulanaokuaiki Campground and Hilina Pali Road to the campground remain open, and drivers are reminded to observe the speed limit and watch for fire crews and vehicles on the road.

Light precipitation fell on the fire Wednesday night. Light winds and limited showers are forecast into the weekend