Patients back in hospital as fires continue

The 15 patients displaced by the wildfire in Pahala in Hawaii County returned to Ka‘u Hospital on Thursday.

Afternoon clouds helped cool the air Thursday and increased the humidity, keeping the two Pahala fires at a combined 5,239 acres. Firefighters had monitored the fire overnight, and actively fought the blaze Thursday morning.

Hawaii County Fire Department Battalion Chief Warren Sumida said the makai wildfire along Highway 11 in Kau hasn’t spread since Wednesday night and has scorched more than 4,800 acres.

Another brush fire that also began Monday on Cane Haul Road along Alii Springs and Higashi Camp roads near Pahala is 95 percent contained, Sumida said. About 400 acres have been burned.