Brush fire evacuation orders lifted on Hawaii Island; HFD monitoring hotspots

OOKALA (HawaiiNewsNow) - Brush fire evacuation orders for Hawaii Island residents have been lifted, the Hawaii Fire Department said Thursday evening.

As of 6:30 p.m., officials said evacuated residents are now allowed to go back to their homes as the threat from the fire has significantly decreased.

Officials said Old Mamalahoa Highway was closed between Niu Village Road and Kukui Village Road as firefighters monitored “hotspots.” The road has since reopened.

Firefighters responded to the fire around 4 p.m. No word on how much of the fire has been contained but at last check, 10 acres were burned.

An evacuation shelter site was opened at the Paauilo Gym. It will remain open through Friday morning.

Authorities had shut down Hawaii Belt Road also known as Highway 19 near the 31-32 Mile Marker in both directions but it has since been reopened.

Police advise residents to use the northern entry of Old Mamalahoa Highway from Hawaii Belt Road to access Kukui Village Road, Milo Street and Milo Place.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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