(UPDATED)

Lightning has been identified as the cause of two wildland brush fires that broke out yesterday afternoon in the vicinity of the Keamuku Maneuver Area located near Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA), mauka of Highway 190.  There were no units or troops training in the area.

As of 7am today, the fire is reportedly five percent contained and has burned approximately 1,500 acres thus far. Currently, there is no community or structure threat. There are also no road closures.

Federal, County and volunteer firefighters, along with air assets from the U.S. Army and Hawaiʻi County are attempting to contain the fires, which are slowly burning south. Two bulldozers are also on the scene to assist with the firefighting.  PTA is bringing in three additional U.S. Army military helicopters (2x UH-60 Blackhawks and 1x CH-47 Chinook) from Oahu this morning from the 25th Infantry Division, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade to support with water bucket drops.

Updates will also be coordinated with Hawai’i County Civil Defense to ensure the public is kept up to date.

Photo credit: PTA