The Fire Department's Chopper Two uses a Bambi Bucket to perform water drops on a fire near Waikoloa Village. Photo by Bonnie Palos | Special to Hawaii 24/7

A Tanker unit brings water out to the scene of a wildfire in Waikoloa. Photo by Bonnie Palos | Special to Hawaii 24/7

A water tanker from Pohakuloa Training Area joins County fire crews battling the blaze. Photo by Bonnie Palos | Special to Hawaii 24/7

A firefighter pulls a hose line towards the leading edge of the fire in Waikoloa. Photo by Bonnie Palos | Special to Hawaii 24/7

Winds push forward the fireline in Waikoloa. Photo by Bonnie Palos | Special to Hawaii 24/7

By Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Fire crews responded to a 11:33 a.m. alarm for a fire makai of Waikoloa Village, Southwest of Kekumu Place/Paniolo Estates Saturday (Feb 18).

Crews arrived to find a three acre wildland fire growing and moving Southwest. Ground crews had a difficult time accessing the fire scene due to rough terrain. A wind shift caused the fire to jump firebreaks and spread.

County helicopters performed water drops as a D9 bulldozer continued cutting firebreaks to contain the fire. County firefighters, Department of Public Works water tankers and crews from Pohakuloa Training Area also worked the fire scene.

Fire crews will be monitoring the scene for hotspots below Kekumu apartment, Paniolo Estates and Sunset Ridge areas.

Approximately 80 acres were involved in the fire. There were no structures involved, no injuries reported and no road closures. Fire Dispatch reports the cause of the fire possibly starting from an unauthorized burn and is under investigation.