UPDATE: Brush fire scorches 100 acres near Waimea Canyon Drive; road remains closed

UPDATE, 1 p.m., Sunday, March 8: A brush fire near mile marker 2 on Waimea Canyon Drive has scorched about 100 acres but remains under control, the Kauaʻi Fire Department said in a press release.

Crews continue to extinguish spot fires along the fire line, and officials reported no injuries or threats to nearby structures.

Firefighters from the Waimea station, Air 1 helicopter, a dozer, Tanker 5, and Jack Harter Helicopters are on scene, while the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency monitors the incident; Waimea Canyon Drive remains closed until further notice.

UPDATE, 11 a.m., Sunday, March 8: The brush fire burning near mile marker 2 on Waimea Canyon Drive has scorched about 100 acres but remains under control, according to the Kauaʻi Fire Department.

The fire was first reported around 9 p.m. Saturday and was initially estimated at about 200 feet by 300 feet.

Crews continued working Sunday morning to extinguish spot fires along the fire line. Fire officials said there are no reported injuries and no threats to nearby structures.

Firefighters from the Waimea station are on scene responding along with Air 1 helicopter, personnel from the Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, a dozer, Tanker 5, and aerial support from Jack Harter Helicopters.

The Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency is also monitoring the incident.

In the press release, authorities added that Waimea Canyon Drive will remain closed until further notice as crews continue suppression efforts.

UPDATE: 9:05 a.m. March 8: Kauaʻi firefighters continued working Sunday morning to suppress a brush fire that broke out near mile marker 2 on Waimea Canyon Drive, authorities said.

Officials said Waimea Canyon Drive remains closed until further notice while crews continue to monitor and contain the fire.

The blaze was first reported around 9 p.m., on Saturday, March 8, and was initially estimated at about 200 feet by 300 feet, according to the Kauaʻi Fire Department.

Officials said fire crews have the fire under control despite some active flames remaining. Firefighters remained on scene Sunday morning to continue suppression efforts.

Law enforcement reported no injuries and said the fire does not currently threaten nearby structures.

Update at 3:48 a.m. Sunday, March 8, 2026: Kaua‘i Fire Department reported in its final update shortly before 3 a.m. today (March 8) that firefighter crews have a brush fire under control near mile marker 2 of Waimea Canyon Drive in Waimea.

Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife personnel and wildland firefighters will remain at the scene until it is deemed safe to stand down.

Waimea Canyon Drive remains closed in the vicinity until state Division of Forestry and Wildlife crews clear the scene.

There continues to be no threat to nearby structures; no injuries were reported. 

Story originally posted at 11:37 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2026: Kaua‘i firefighters continued to battle a brush fire just before 11:30 p.m. Saturday (March 7) near mile marker 2 of Waimea Canyon Drive in Waimea.

Kaua‘i Fire Department said the blaze — which was reported at 9 p.m. Saturday — was initially estimated to be 200-by-300-feet in size. Crews had knocked down the southern flank by shortly before 11 p.m. and most were relocating to the northern flank to continue fighting the fire.

There are no threats to nearby structures and no reports of injuries.

Waimea Canyon Drive remains closed until further notice.

Personnel with the Waimea, Hanapēpē, Kalāheo and Kōloa fire stations along with Kaua‘i Fire Department Rescue 3, Tanker 3, Tanker 5 and the on-duty battalion chief; Kaua‘i Police Department; Kaua‘i County Department of Public Works; and Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources are responding.

Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency is also monitoring the incident.